I expect the apparent lack of progress will be fuelling Putin's paranoia. I'd almost feel sorry for those he's arresting!
Coincidentally I have just briefly seen this article - 'Something going badly wrong' Russia losing 3 key generals sign Putin only just hanging on Apparently, Russia has lost three major generals in the war, which suggests things are pretty dire for them. It would seem to me that Putin thought this was going to be a walkover and in short, it hasn't been.
I get the impression that the army is not performing as expected, which could be why such high ranking officers are on the front line and getting their heads blown off.
Putin was so arrogant - he thought that he would be able to take Ukraine as easy as he took Crimea. Ignoring the simple fact that the Ukrainian military had 7 years to prepare. I suspect that his advisers were too scared to tell him the truth. Putin didn't expect a unified response from the West either. Something for China to think about before they go into Taiwan. NLAWs have played a fairly large part in defending Ukraine as we had time to provide training and to distribute the kit though out the military. We now have to train to use Starstreak - which takes precious time.
Just reading up about NLAW, at £20,000 a go its not cheap, but I think even I could fire one of them, might not hit anything but after 3 seconds of locking onto the target it does the rest itself.
It seems the EU is finally becoming a single voice and committing to becoming self sufficient in all respects.EU leaders announce intention to collectively rearm in face of Putin threat It has overtures of the 1930s somehow but in the midst of reading through there was a chuckle to be had in the 3rd paragraph - the "Galerie des Batailles, in which France’s military achievements are celebrated in painting and sculpture". I wondered just how cramped all the dignitaries were in such a small room!
I like this bit, “We can see how our food, our energy, our defence are all issues of sovereignty,” he said. “We want to be open to the world but we want to choose our partners and not depend on anybody.” Ring any bells? Have they woken up or is it just talk.
Oh they'll do it now Pete, just to show the British and also to protect their miserable hides. Ruddy politicians never do anything until its way beyond sensible to do so.
EU is about to bash Putin with a 4th lot of sanctions. What does Putin think he will gain from announcing that he has 'control' of Kyiv? Urban combat - much more costly to the aggressor than sending in missiles. Coming back from B&Q today - looked over a field and saw a Ukrainian flag fluttering in the breeze - we're not talking a tiddler here - this was a massive flag that everyone for miles around could see. Flying not far from it was a Welsh and UK flag.