Ukraine claims new advances in Russia incursion (2024)

Bit of a snow job.

Even the spokesman quoted concedes they won't hold the territory.

Because there is a big difference between sending DRGs probing around and actual consolidation of territory.

They failed to seize KNPP.

Now this misadventure is but a risky bet that pursues mainly political and media goals, rather than military ones - whiles pretending the realities of the Eastern Front don't exist.

The Ukrainian official said thousands of Ukrainian troops were involved in the operation.

The Times reports 6 to 10 thousands UAF troops are involved.

fallaffelToday 07:00 am JST

Let's end this madness. Both sides need to withdraw all troops now.

And Russia can go first as the one that keeps claiming to be ahead.

Haaa NemuiToday 06:59 am JST

I’m all for Ukraine doing what they can with this, but I’m a little surprised Russia hasn’t been able to shut it down yet.

This is the army that couldn't feed itself at the beginning of the war.

Cards fanToday 07:02 am JST

We need a referendum yesterday. These are historically Ukrainian lands.

Would like to see some sour faced Russians being marched to polls.

Let's end this madness.

Agree. If this operation is the last chance for Ukraine to get something to negotiate with and will bring both parties to the ceasefire table sooner, then so be it. This war needs to end asap.

This is the army that couldn't feed itself at the beginning of the war.

But we keep hearing it’s all under control. Both the Kremlin and supporters have been saying it’s under control or at least will be in a few days. They couldn’t be lying to us, could they? Could they?

biggest attack by a foreign army on Russian soil since World War II.

And the end result will be the same.

Zelensky threw his best troops into a trap and the Russians are patiently waiting and hoping he sends more.

Zelensky threw his best troops into a trap and the Russians are patiently waiting and hoping he sends more.

A trap?

What are you on about ?

Go Ukraine!

go...where?

yes go west...

Nope, Ukraine will withdraw their troops from Kursk or they will be neutralized. On top of this inevitability, there will be repercussions for the Kyiv regime.

These will happen one way or the other. No serious person entertains the idea the AFU will hold this territory.

When you dig into this whole Kursk incursion gambit, it is far from the rosy picture painted here for AFU. They are taking large losses in men and material and their incursion is a minor beached baby whale that is not going anywhere fast, least of all to KNPP; more of an irritant as opposed to anything even resembling a major breakthrough, and nothing that will change the calculus on the Eastern Front.

Sure, they can send the odd little DRG raid, but RFAF are marshalling their reserves and heavy equipment. For example, the Akhmat Chechens are out there, completely shutting down groups of these people right now, turning their lights off. Lots of videos of this general nature has popped up in the last 20 hours.

A trap?

What are you on about ?

Now that civilians have been evacuated and the Kursk Nuke plant is well defended, there's nothing for the Russia to worry about.

Every soldier Zelensky sends into the Kursk pocket is a soldier taken away from the all important Donetsk front, where Russia is chewing through the last of massive fortifications NATO has built up since 2014.

Once the Donetsk fortifications fall, Phase III of the SMO will be complete, 8 months ahead of schedule.

BanthuToday 07:11 am JST

biggest attack by a foreign army on Russian soil since World War II.

And the end result will be the same.

Zelensky threw his best troops into a trap and the Russians are patiently waiting and hoping he sends more.

Such a carefully laid trap that thousands of civilians had to be evacuated? I guess the Russian government leaks like a sieve, so it could have all been planned that way.

Every soldier Zelensky sends into the Kursk pocket is a soldier taken away from the all important Donetsk front, where Russia is chewing through the last of massive fortifications NATO has built up since 2014.

It's a long way to Kyiv and meanwhile that black eye of Putin's is there for all to see.

Once the Donetsk fortifications fall, Phase III of the SMO will be complete, 8 months ahead of schedule.

I think you got a whole lot more phases to go through: namely anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

JJEToday 07:25 am JST

Nope, Ukraine will withdraw their troops from Kursk or they will be neutralized.

Ya gonna bomb your own territory? Would like to see that.

Akhmat Chechens are out there, completely shutting down groups of these people right now, turning their lights off.

Is this more or less savage than the average Russian conscript?

Phase III of the SMO will be complete, 8 months ahead of schedule.

Hmmm… when people have talked about 72 hours, Putin’s supporters here have been telling us no timeframe has ever been given, and it’ll take as long as it takes, but now there’s “8 months agreed of schedule”

This is interesting.

JJE

These will happen one way or the other. No serious person entertains the idea the AFU will hold this territory.

And none of that will remove the egg on Putin’s face and the political damage this incursion has created in Russia. Even if Ukraine withdraws tomorrow, and no matter what Russia does from now, Ukraine scored a huge success. Success and failure isn’t the black and white military results you like to portray!

Examine the main photo closely.

Clearly there are some issues with it. Either looks staged or worse.

Looks to be elderly men (like the guy in the middle), which is indicative of AFU conscripts.

Worse would be kidnapping civilians and dressing them up in fatigues, which they have been known to do (incidentally that is a blatant war crime).

Hard to make out the uniform from that photo, which looks odd.

, 8 months ahead of schedule.

Yeah, I really laughed out loud when I read this.

I think there's plenty to worry about. Especially for everyone who had to evacuate from Kursk because the Moscow regime invaded its neighbor.

Now that civilians have been evacuated and the Kursk Nuke plant is well defended, there's nothing for the Russia to worry about.

JJEToday 07:48 am JST

Worse would be kidnapping civilians and dressing them up in fatigues, which they have been known to do (incidentally that is a blatant war crime).

You're going to have a lot of cases to file when Russia rejoins the ICC. Of course by then there will be whole wings to store Russians at the Hague.

A brief period of posturing and boosting his ego

I think it’s great that Putin’s has taken such a hit.

Why do you think it's a silly prank? It's only the Kremlin pushing this narrative, probably to hide their embarrassment over the Russian response so far.

People think it’s a giggle to joke about this when many die. This silly prank by Zelensky is leading to his downfall. A brief period of posturing and boosting his ego whilst parts of his territory are being eroded every day.

You're going to have a lot of cases to file when Russia rejoins the ICC. Of course by then there will be whole wings to store Russians at the Hague.

Whether you like it or not, Russia has captured many more Ukrainian prisoners. Multiple videos (not blurred photos) are the proofs. They're all military, not kidnapped civilians dressed like military for the picture. Now they are not subject to future exchange. They will be tried in Russia as terrorists. and the sentence for the terrorists is one - life imprisonment. ICC services will not be required.

There’s not one military strategist who thinks this invasion is a good idea

really? Not a single one?

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/08/13/bold-and-brilliant-bipartisan-us-delegation-supports-kyivs-kursk-incursion

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukraines-russian-invasion-is-erasing-vladimir-putins-last-red-lines/

https://time.com/7010032/why-ukraine-surprise-incursion-on-russia-should-give-us-hope/

it’s madness and the sign that Zelensky is an incompetent buffoon.

lolol Me thinks not.

He’s an armchair general like Hitler who overrides his experts to feel good and believe he’s right

Armchair generals are the ones calling Zelensky a buffoon for enacting policies that are widely acknowledged as being tactically sound by people with relevant knowledge to warfare.

but dont worry the usual culprits will make good money from it all.

This wouldn't happen without Russia invading, you see.

Cards Fan

Nine of these people are military strategists. What is your point?

Unlike some of the Muppets I don’t have a side I want to win like it’s a game of Monopoly.

Ukraine lacks the manpower and hardware to stay in Russia and also to defend their nation. This was a huge error by Ukraine as we will see over the following days and weeks.

Nine of these people are military strategists. What is your point?

You claimed,

There’s not one military strategist who thinks this invasion is a good idea

Now according to your count 9 military strategists have praised the incursion. Oops.

Unlike some of the Muppets I don’t have a side I want to win like it’s a game of Monopoly.

lol Considering one side is defending itself from the other side which is trying to erase them as a country "neutrality" only benefits the aggressor, and is shameful.

This was a huge error by Ukraine as we will see over the following days and weeks.

Yet the military strategists disagree with you.

Cards

I meant none and you know it, aren’t you are card, lol

Find me a real military strategist, not a reporter for media that thinks Ukraine will hold onto this land please.

heroi are desperate as well as Kiev junta as they know that they have zero chance to win.

action-reaction.

you will learn in hard way.

Why do you think it's a silly prank? It's only the Kremlin pushing this narrative, probably to hide their embarrassment over the Russian response so far.

Of course, you can firmly believe in the adequacy and competence of Zelensky. But think for yourself, how could a reasonable military commander send such a large number of units to break through the border without permanent supply (all supply routes have already been cut off)? Well, they will provide food for themselves in the occupied territories: the Ukrainian military is allowed to rob the population and shops indefinitely. They can even find medical service there. But what about fuel for machinery? Small DRGs will not be able to capture fuel depots. And who will deliver the ammunition to them? Logistics? No, he doesn't know what it is. You can't get far on one robbery. Is it Kremlin's embarrassment? Kindergarten

I meant none and you know it, aren’t you are card, lol

Actually I don't know what you mean. I think they're immently more qualified to speak on the wisdom of Ukraine's strategy than any punter at the races.

not a reporter for media

James Clapper is the former head of the CIA. Not a single link I've shared is just a "reporter for the media."

Analysis of Russia's military posture clearly indicates that they are setting up a massive fire trap for Zelensky's forces.

The longer this goes up, the more troops Zelensky will foolishly send into an unwinnable situation.

But Zelensky has no choice.

If he retreats now, it'll be a total humiliation for him and his army and a stunning public relations success for Putin.

What's the plan Zelensky?

Keep sending precious lives into the cauldron, exactly as Putin hopes you do.

I agree this is a trap, but more likely one unwittingly set by the Ukrainians for themselves.

It's awful that so many lives are being sacrificed just for the sake of putting egg on Putin's face. Zelensky is such an awful person.

Zelensky is such an awful person.

Fighting back against invaders is terrible. reeeeee

Zelensky didn't choose this war. Putin did. Pathetic.

Cards Fan

Very unbiased then and what kind of military missions has he led?

You need to see reality not be biased upon political beliefs and wish for peace not war.

Wick’s

He had his ego boosted by the West lauding him as some kind of heroic warrior and now he’s lost the plot. All he really is is a failed comedian who didn’t have much success. A complete puppet for the moneymakers but he’s too daft to realise.

He had his ego boosted by the West lauding him as some kind of heroic warrior and now he’s lost the plot. All he really is is a failed comedian who didn’t have much success. A complete puppet for the moneymakers but he’s too daft to realise.

And what do you think of Putin?

Very unbiased then and what kind of military missions has he led?

lmao you claimed no military strategists support Ukraine's incursion into Russia. I give you an example of a military strategist, someone with relevant experience, and now you complained they're biased? Hilarious.

As for his military experience: He is a decorated lieutant general, who fought in Vietnam.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Clapper#Military_assignments

You need to see reality not be biased upon political beliefs and wish for peace not war.

Oh, I see reality very clearly.

Norm

Hes a nutter as well and sad*stic, have I ever said otherwise? I don’t support either of them but it defies belief how many people fawn over Zelensky whose government is corrupt like Russia.

And what do you think of Putin?

He's a great leader who is defending his nation from attacks by the west (US and its puppets).

He could have gone all shock and awe scorched earth, but he didn't because this war is not against the Ukrainian people.

Cards Fan

He was in intelligence, he never led men on the ground, your claim is mute my dear chap.

He was in intelligence, he never led men on the ground, your claim is mute my dear chap.

You're mistaken my dear chap, he served in combat on the ground. Your silly claim is mute, you see.

In 1963, he graduated as a distinguished military graduate from theUniversity of Marylandand was commissioned as an Air Forcesecond lieutenant. He served two tours of duty inSoutheast Asiawhere he commanded asignals intelligencedetachment based at a listening post inThailand'sUdon Thani Province, and flew 73 combat support missions inEC-47s, including some overLaosandCambodia.

He's a great leader who is defending his nation from attacks by the west (US and its puppets).

lololol He's fascist and anyone who supports him is too. The US has never attacked Russia. Ever.

but he didn't because this war is not against the Ukrainian people.

Oh yes it is. He denies their existence.

Exactly. So either Zelensky and all his strategists are incompetent, or the Moscow regime is lying to you about having the situation under control (all supply lines cut off...). Which would a normal person believe is more likely?

Of course, you can firmly believe in the adequacy and competence of Zelensky. But think for yourself, how could a reasonable military commander send such a large number of units to break through the border without permanent supply (all supply routes have already been cut off)?

Cards

Signals intelligence is not leading men on the ground, let’s be real here my good friend. He has experience of military activity, granted but he’s not a proper expert whose led men on campaigns and organised them and other brigades and units.

Military strategists don't lead battles on the field. They are in planning and operation rooms.

They provide assessments and recommendations to senior military and civilian decision-makers related to national security. Prepares or contributes to key policy documents or strategy for a theater of operations.

Signals intelligence is not leading men on the ground,

Yes it is. It clearly states he served on the ground. Besides, your original claim was that no military strategists approve of Ukraine's incursion into Russia. Clearly that isn't true, and you're trying to weasel your way out of that fact by claiming that "technically, because, um he worked in intelligence, and wasn't on the front lines, that umm his experience, isn't uhh, relevant." Pathetic.

He has experience of military activity, granted but he’s not a proper expert whose led men on campaigns and organised them and other brigades and units.

what's any of that got to do with "military strategist?"

" He could have gone all shock and awe scorched earth, but he didn't because this war is not against the Ukrainian people.

Oh yes it is. He denies their existence."

No, Putin doesn't deny Ukrainian people's existence. You are confusing Vlad with Joe's best friend Bibi and his Palestinian quest.

No, Putin doesn't deny Ukrainian people's existence.

Nonsense.

Ina speech on 21 February 2022, following the escalation in the2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis, Putin said that "modern Ukraine was wholly and fully created by Bolshevik, communist Russia".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Historical_Unity_of_Russians_and_Ukrainians#:~:text=In%20a%20speech%20on%2021,by%20Bolshevik%2C%20communist%20Russia%22.

burgers and beersToday 09:29 am JST

No, Putin doesn't deny Ukrainian people's existence.

Well when he thinks it is acceptable to take their sovereignty, their land and their resources it's hard to figure out what else to call it. Does he want them in camps or on reservations like native peoples?

Zelensky has no strategy other than garner likes on Insta.

The Russian military has a strategy.

1: Evacuate civilians

2: Encircle the invaders

3: Patiently wait for them to use up their ammo, fuel and supplies

4: Give them a choice between surrender or annihilation

The Russians should sit back and wait 2 to 3 weeks.

Zelensky is trapped.

Nonsense.

Nope. It is not.

Ina speech on 21 February 2022, following the escalation in the2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis, Putin said that "modern Ukraine was wholly and fully created by Bolshevik, communist Russia".

Saying that ' Modern Ukraine ' was created by communist Russia is not equivalent to denying ' Ukrainian people's existence '. " People'' do not equal state. Your point is based on false equivalence.

Nope. It is not.

Yes, it is.

Saying that ' Modern Ukraine ' was created by communist Russia is not equivalent to denying ' Ukrainian people's existence '. " People'' do not equal state. Your point is based on false equivalence.

No, it isn't. They're trying to erase Ukrainian language and culture. Here's yet another quote:

"Ukraine has never had its own authentic statehood. There has never been a sustainable statehood in Ukraine."

https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-denies-reviving-russian-empire-says-ukraine-not-real-country-2022-2

https://time.com/6150046/ukraine-statehood-russia-history-putin/

It's pathetic to pretend that a war that has killed 100s of thousands of Ukrainians based on the lies of Putin does not mean this war is against the Ukrainians. It fundementally is.

Wick's pencilToday 09:12 am JST

He's a great leader who is defending his nation from attacks by the west (US and its puppets).

He could have gone all shock and awe scorched earth, but he didn't because this war is not against the Ukrainian people.

All we can say in response to that is "pull the other one".

BanthuToday 09:40 am JST

Zelensky has no strategy other than garner likes on Insta.

The Russian military has a strategy.

1: Evacuate civilians

2: Encircle the invaders

3: Patiently wait for them to use up their ammo, fuel and supplies

4: Give them a choice between surrender or annihilation

The Russians should sit back and wait 2 to 3 weeks.

Is that what happened in Mariupol or was a city destroyed in the process?

Zelensky is trapped.

I don't see any Russian troops on the border keeping them from retreating, do you?

Does he want them in camps or on reservations like native peoples?

I dont think so, he never said anything like that as far as I know. On the other hand I' m not sure how much he studied the treatment of native Americans though. Maybe somebody knows?

I don't see any Russian troops on the border keeping them from retreating, do you?

At this stage a retreat by Zelensky would be a humiliating disaster.

It would crush moral in his military would probably result in a coup.

And it would be a stunning PR success for Putin.

Zelensky is trapped, he can't retreat and he can't advance.

If he had captured the Kursk nuke plant (which was the target), admittedly he'd have quite the bargaining chip.

Alas, he failed and now is trapped.

falseflagsteveToday 09:00 am JST

You need to see reality not be biased upon political beliefs and wish for peace not war.

Ukraine has never been offered a just peace or even an unconditional ceasefire. Is the fact they are under heinous assault with an attempt to steal everything they have lost on you?

A brief period of posturing and boosting his ego whilst parts of his territory are being eroded every day.

His territory isn't getting any larger with your calls for him to surrender.

I don’t support either of them but it defies belief how many people fawn over Zelensky whose government is corrupt like Russia.

Is it completely lost on you that Putin has designs on NATO countries and that Ukraine was making progress before it was horribly assaulted?

burgers and beersToday 09:49 am JST

Does he want them in camps or on reservations like native peoples?

I dont think so, he never said anything like that as far as I know. On the other hand I' m not sure how much he studied the treatment of native Americans though. Maybe somebody knows?

That's the whole point though: Russia needs to leave behind 19th century savagery. They got to be the largest country in the world already through such activity.

Zelensky has no strategy other than garner likes on Insta.

That, and providing anything the west can spin into a narrative to encourage further funding and arming.

Strange how the MSM focuses on these small temporary Ukrainian victories while ignoring the massive defeats they are facing elsewhere.

BanthuToday 09:51 am JST

At this stage a retreat by Zelensky would be a humiliating disaster.

Ukraine's continued independence will be a tremendous victory for Ukraine. Zelenskyy will be lauded as a hero at home and abroad.

It would crush moral in his military would probably result in a coup.

I think you are confusing determined Ukraine for shaky Russia.

Zelensky is trapped, he can't retreat and he can't advance.

You still haven't told us how he can't retreat.

If he had captured the Kursk nuke plant (which was the target), admittedly he'd have quite the bargaining chip.

Alas, he failed and now is trapped.

Again, no sources on trapped. I think it is still early days in Russia's failure so we still don't know whether they can get o the plant. And even if they can't, Ukraine can shut off gas from Russia to Europe and has a boatload of new fascists to exchange for patriots.

" Saying that ' Modern Ukraine ' was created by communist Russia is not equivalent to denying ' Ukrainian people's existence '. " People'' do not equal state. Your point is based on false equivalence.

No, it isn't. "

Yes, it is.

Here's yet another quote: "Ukraine has never had its own authentic statehood. There has never been a sustainable statehood in Ukraine."

Once again , this is talking about " statehood", thats not the same as " denying Ukrainian people's existence".

You are still pushing false equivalence point. Clutching at straws is not helping.

You are still pushing false equivalence point. Clutching at straws is not helping.

It is not a false equivalence. If the Ukrainian people want to be a free and independent state and Russia is invading their country to stop them from being a free and independent state, how is that not a war against the Ukrainian people? Don't be absurd.

burgers and beersToday 09:58 am JST

Once again , this is talking about " statehood", thats not the same as " denying Ukrainian people's existence".

You are still pushing false equivalence point. Clutching at straws is not helping.

Maybe the Russian people need to be distributed among a few different countries so they can stop trying to eliminate people's independence and livelihood.

Ukraine can shut off gas from Russia to Europe

The pipeline you're talking about runs through Ukraine.

Zelensky can shut it off anytime he wants, but hasn't done so yet.

He's happy to be taking payments from Gazprom for transit fees.

' It is not a false equivalence.'

Yes , it is. Once again, saying 'Modern Ukraine' was created by communist Russia does not equal " denying ' Ukrainian people's existence '.

*No need for you to keep pushing false equivalence arguments, better just stick to facts, simples. Done.

Yes , it is. Once again, saying 'Modern Ukraine' was created by communist Russiadoes not equal "denying ' Ukrainian people's existence '.

No it isn't. It doesn't matter how many times you falsely repeat that, it doesn't make it true.

Again, iff the Ukrainian people want to be a free and independent state and Russia is invading their country to stop them from being a free and independent state, how is that not a war against the Ukrainian people?

*No need for you to keep pushing false equivalence arguments, better just stick to facts, simples. Done.

You first, friend :)

Kyiv-regime was offered multiple ways out of this and they snapped the olive branch in two every time - don't be silly.

Zelensky keeps on mentioning something he calls the "exchange fund". This is obviously a crude reference to POWs held, in which Russia has a 5:1 advantage in holdings, or higher.

If part of this stunt was somehow evening up that ratio, he is deluded, because the Russians are taking quite a few themselves to add to the horde. Videos are coming on more frequently now.

I don't see any Russian troops on the border keeping them from retreating, do you?

AFU has nationalist units employed as barrier troops to prevent retreat of regular troops.

Advances??, LOOOOOOL

More than 400 Ukrainian soldiers were eliminated today in the Kursk region.

Russia continues to recover towns.

This sounds more like desperate delusions of Zelensky and his regime as they see their imminent defeat.

Which would a normal person believe is more likely?

Depends on the level of normality according to the scale that you dictate all over. But there is a nuance: you and I, we live in different moral dimensions that never intersect. So, use your scale yourself.

Speaking of competence. Zel is a clown. A talented comedian. This is his area of expertise. And Syrnik, his "adviser", is a professional traitor. He betrayed his mother country, his parents, his children. Nothing personal, just business for "normal" people.

JJEToday 10:26 am JST

Kyiv-regime was offered multiple ways out of this and they snapped the olive branch in two every time - don't be silly.

The invasion wasn't even threatened before it was on. Letters were misaddressed. No ways out of it.

Zelensky keeps on mentioning something he calls the "exchange fund". This is obviously a crude reference to POWs held, in which Russia has a 5:1 advantage in holdings, or higher.

Going to be a lot more even now.

If part of this stunt was somehow evening up that ratio, he is deluded, because the Russians are taking quite a few themselves to add to the horde. Videos are coming on more frequently now.

Unlikely as Ukraine has been fighting Russian savagery for years now and are not being caught by surprise like the bumbling RAF.

Here's the thing. It is not really that relevant whether the claims are true. It's the effect those claims have.

Russia launched this "military action" over two years ago, assuming that they'd be welcomed as liberating heroes. Ukraine told them where to stick their liberation, put up far more resistance than Russia ever anticipated, and now they're making incursions into Russia itself. A country 28 times the size of Ukraine with (snorts) the "second bestest army in the world, honest guv!".

No matter how much goalpost-shifting the Russians (and their many online agents) do, their plan to "liberate Kyiv" was a failure in every single possible aspect. They have lost a huge number of men and equipment. Their economy is in the toilet. Their only allies are other loser countries.

Even they were to eventually take Ukraine, the price paid in dead soldiers, destroyed gear, ruined economy, international condemnation, etc. ,would have to make even the average brainwashed Russian citizen question if it was worth it. Course the next election's already been decided in Putin's favour anyway...

So Ukraine, in claiming these gains, is basically doing the psychological equivalent of rubbing salt into the wounds. They may have made advances, they may not. But the damage these claims do to Russia's rapidly crumbling pride is the real prize.

So, in absence of seizing the KNPP, there seems to be a concession this is all about political and media goals.

And that is typical of the undertakings of the Kyiv-regime, which pitches what it does to the western media, and makes little military logic.

Even worse, hurting "Russia's pride" seems to be the objective. Doubtful whether this will dissuade Moscow from proceeding with the SVO. If anything, it has driven home the necessity that the threat needs finishing off once and for all.

JJEToday 11:01 am JST

Even worse, hurting "Russia's pride" seems to be the objective. Doubtful whether this will dissuade Moscow from proceeding with the SVO. If anything, it has driven home the necessity that the threat needs finishing off once and for all.

If Russia was going to conduct illegal wars of aggression out of pride, it was always in need of a reassessment of its place in the world.

If anything, it has driven home the necessity that the threat needs finishing off once and for all.

Oooh! On day 903, is Russia going to start REALLY invading? I mean SUPER PROPERLY invading? No messing about anymore?

I suppose 903 days late is better than never.

It is conducted out of necessity and in support of Russian national security objectives - pride has nothing to do with it.

Can anyone geolocate the images?

If and when Ukraine retreats, they should definitely loot everything, scorch the earth and extensively mine the entire area. This Putin understands and respects.

And then do it all again somewhere else along the border, ad infinitum.

Here is a fairly balanced article that includes reporting on the mass evacuations in Sumy region, which was mentioned in a previous article:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/13/at-the-sudzha-crossing-where-ukrainian-troops-pushed-into-russia-nerves-are-tense

If and when Ukraine retreats, they should definitely loot everything, scorch the earth and extensively mine the entire area. This Putin understands and respects.

And then do it all again somewhere else along the border, ad infinitum.

There is such a proverb: God did not give horns to a cheerful cow. Otherwise you would have turned around, wouldn't you, ClippetyClop?

There is such a proverb: God did not give horns to a cheerful cow.

There is no such proverb, so I have no idea what you talking about.

Must be a Kremlin thing.

Now the image at the bottom, whatever those damaged structures are, appear to be on the Ukrainian side and from 2/2022, the launch of the SVO. Important to remember the RFAF came through here and there was considerable damage done to certain structures, including the Ukraine border crossing.

The photos in the article, if taken by a foreign journalist, will be no further than the border crossing most likely. The article posted above made precisely these points. Have not seen any evidence yet of foreign journalists going into the AFU pocket in Russia - surely a very dangerous endeavour indeed.

If and when Ukraine retreats,

Zelensky can't do that.

It would be an absolute humiliation.

Why would his best troops, armed with $270 billion worth of US weapons need to retreat against a bunch of disorganized conscripts armed with shovels?

It would be an absolute humiliation.

Uh...they broke through into the territory of the world's self-styled second best army, which has been trying and failing for over two years to conquer a country 1/28th its size.

That's a humiliation.

If and when Ukraine retreats,

Zelensky can't do that.

It would be an absolute humiliation.

More humiliating than invading a country for 3 days and then having your own country invaded 2 1/2 years later?

More humiliating than attacking Kyiv and retreating a few days later?

More humiliating than the retreat from Kherson?

More humiliating than half of your navy at the bottom of the sea?

More humiliating than calling for the nuking of your own territory?

You should be more worried about the absolute humiliation that Putin has brought to Russia in the last 903 days comrade.