6/ For months now, the city of Severodonetsk has represented the tip of Ukraine’s salient into Russian-held eastern Ukraine. As such, the Ukrainian high command will need to make a tough decision soon about ceding Severodonetsk and surrounding territory. Instead of a broad front and penny packeting forces, they have concentrated a significant force in a smaller part of Ukraine. 22/ Despite what Ukraine has achieved so far, the Russians have demonstrated no willingness at all to step back from this war. If Ukraine has mobilised 700K troops (versus less than 200K Russians in Ukraine) & can sustain (or build) Western support, Ukrainian advantages will come into play in the medium term.

Source: Washington Post May 28, 2022 13:10 UTC