1 year ago
51
On Oct. 11, Russia began an offensive around the city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine. The idea was to cut off this suburb of Donetsk, score the first real advance for Russia in months, isolate Ukrainian forces in the area, and give Vladimir Putin something to brag about at a time when world attention was focused on events in Israel and Palestine.
Here’s kos talking about that attack on Oct. 13, RO37 on Oct. 14, kos again on Oct. 15, me on Oct. 16, and kos once more on Oct. 18. That Russia’s first major offensive action since well before Ukraine began its own counteroffensive in the early summer would get attention isn’t unusual, but the thing about Avdiivka is that it started as a fiasco for Russian forces, grew into a disaster, blossomed into a full on catastrophe, and just … kept right on growing.
Because as of Oct. 20, Russia is still at it. They’re not only continuing to lose at Avdiivka; they’re also setting new records for how badly they are losing. From a Ukrainian perspective, it’s worth celebrating, but it’s also worth asking: Just what the hell is Russia doing?
