quote:
Sources claim that the General Staff believes the Kremlin is trying simultaneously to protect the capital, hold Crimea, and continue offensive operations, but no longer has sufficient resources to do all three.

I think this is exactly right. There is too much evidence showing that Ukraine mid range drones are savaging Russian supply routes. Crimea is the most difficult and least important of the three objectives for Russia. My guess is that right now Putin is gambling everything on the offensive in Kostiantynivka . Because it's the only thing that Russia has going for it. Their air defenses seem to be at the breaking point and Ukraine is only ramping up drone production.

I don't expect Ukraine to take Crimea back because that creates their own supply problems. But I think there is a small chance of it after a possible Russian collapse in the area south of Kherson; due to lack of ability to supply it. There is a larger chance of Ukraine taking Crimea than Russia taking the Donbas the way things are, in spite of Nate's wish casting.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by Leopold

Columbia

Member since Sep 2013

2312 posts

Posted on 6/23/26 at 8:23 pm to Lee B

quote:
All Ukraine has to do is hang on and not lose.

We're wasting our breath here with these posters...

No, No Colors has it right.

The Russians have to take all of the Ukraine in order for this war to end as victors, Ukraine just has to keep fighting until Russia is exhausted, and the latter is far more probable now.

You're trying to compare the NVA or Taliban to the Ukrainians - that's backwards. In this war the Ukrainians are the Vietnamese, the Taliban, or us during the Revolutionary War.

The sad part about all of this is that everybody seems to know that except for a small percentage of people, starting with our Commander in Chief.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by texag7

College Station

Member since Apr 2014

41441 posts

Posted on 6/23/26 at 8:30 pm to Leopold

quote:
The Russians have to take all of the Ukraine in order for this war to end as victors

Says who?

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by doubleb

Baton Rouge

Member since Aug 2006

42775 posts

Posted on 6/23/26 at 8:39 pm to texag7

quote:
Says who?

Vladimir Putin

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by Chromdome35

Fast lane, behind a slow driver

Member since Nov 2010

8187 posts

Posted on 6/23/26 at 9:36 pm to doubleb

Not a crippling blow due to redundancy, but a major loss for Russia.

quote:
The General Staff announced the destruction of the Dubna space communications center in the Moscow region.
Dubna is one of the key nodes of the Russian satellite infrastructure, through which communication channels, ground stations, and satellite network maintenance operate.

Loading Twitter/X Embed...
If tweet fails to load, click here.

This post was edited on 6/23/26 at 9:38 pm

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by Trevaylin

south texas

Member since Feb 2019

11250 posts

Posted on 6/23/26 at 9:44 pm to Auburn1968

sept 28&29 , 1941 the nazi's murdered 34,000 jews at Kiev

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by bigjoe1

Member since Jan 2024

1950 posts

Posted on 6/23/26 at 10:26 pm to Chromdome35

quote:
Russia is considering a full ban on diesel exports as authorities scramble to stabilize the domestic fuel market amid refinery disruptions, rising prices, and supply shortages linked to Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday that the government is weighing a complete prohibition on diesel exports alongside other measures to support domestic fuel supplies. Speaking at a government meeting chaired by President Vladimir Putin, Novak acknowledged that the situation in Russia's fuel market was "not simple," although he insisted it remained under control.

"The government is considering a complete ban on diesel exports and other measures," Novak said, adding that oil companies have already increased fuel production to maximum levels in response to the challenges.

The comments mark a notable shift from Novak's position earlier this month. Speaking on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 4, he said there was no immediate need to ban diesel exports for all market participants, although he left the door open to such a move if market conditions deteriorated.

Russia currently restricts exports of diesel and marine fuels by non-producers, while gasoline and jet fuel exports are already banned for all market participants. A broader diesel export ban would further tighten product availability on international markets.

The discussion comes as fuel shortages and price increases have emerged across several Russian regions. According to Russian newspaper Vedomosti, authorities are also considering fuel imports and subsidies for imported products to cap domestic prices and prevent further inflationary pressure.

Industry sources told Reuters that these options were discussed at a meeting on fuel supplies chaired by Novak on Monday.

Ukraine's repeated drone strikes on Russian refineries have disrupted fuel production and distribution networks, forcing Moscow to prioritize domestic supply. While Russia remains one of the world's largest exporters of refined petroleum products, policymakers appear increasingly focused on shielding the domestic market from further disruptions as the conflict continues.

A full diesel export ban would represent one of the most significant interventions in Russia's fuel market since the start of the war and could have implications for diesel supplies across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia that continue to rely on Russian fuel exports through indirect trade channels.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com