Originally Posted by
ORAC
From a UKR source.
Also code red for Odessa. But I don’t think thry have the troops to get to Odessa, though they currently hold the bridges to get their.
Taking Odessa would solve their supply line problems - but taking it could make Mariupol look like a cakewalk…
The Russians don't have the troops to keep Crimea anymore, let alone take Odessa. Ukraine isn't going to bend over in front of an attack on Odessa, and that has to come from the east along the coast. Odessa is the remaining port for Ukraine, they cannot afford to let that fall into Russian hands.
The Russians may retain part of Donbas, but their actions so far don't get high marks for effectiveness. They are pretty good at destroying their own troops, and they are well versed in killing civilians.