Originally Posted by
Brewster Buffalo
However I suspect that Putin would hold defensive postions during the winter and attempt a full offensive in the spring with aim of the destroying the Ukrainian army.
Agreed, he is trying to buy time with the lives of his troops while fortifying his positions, the problem I can see him having is in transport, armour and tanks, while trying to assemble a credible force for the spring.
That is why it is more important to give Ukraine the weapons to destroy the bridges and rail infrastructure now, giving shorter range weaponary fine as it is, but is simply kicking the can down the road at the expense of Ukrainian lives, they need the ability to strike now and take advantage in driving them out from their country before those defences become insurmountable, they then need the ability to hold it against any future agression. I would imagine Ukraine taking Crimea back would be Putins swan song.
The less the ability to transport into Ukraine the less cold weather kit they have..
As he says, just return the favour..