this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2023
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The Russian commander of the “Vostok” Battalion fighting in southern Ukraine said on Thursday that Ukraine will not be defeated and suggested that Russia freeze the war along current frontlines.

Alexander Khodakovsky made the candid concession yesterday on his Telegram channel after Russian forces, including his own troops, were devastatingly defeated by Ukrainian marines earlier this week at Urozhaine in the Zaporizhzhia-Donetsk regional border area.

“Can we bring down Ukraine militarily? Now and in the near future, no,” Khodakovsky, a former official of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, said yesterday.

“When I talk to myself about our destiny in this war, I mean that we will not crawl forward, like the [Ukrainians], turning everything into [destroyed] Bakhmuts in our path. And, I do not foresee the easy occupation of cities,” he said.

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[–] Tester@lemm.ee 31 points 1 year ago (207 children)

I think many people are forgetting that the larger army, vastly outnumbering Ukrainian resources in numbers, has not won a victory since the beginning of the invasion. And only presents a problem because the 2 countries cannot reliably use air power to overcome 1st WW trench warfare. Russia has defenses, but no ability to move forward. They are just trying to hold on to what they took in those first few months and are very slowly failing at that. If Ukraine can keep going, supported by the West, Russia will lose. I do not think Russia will use nukes -- any use of a nuke is basically on Russia's own land -- according to them -- and will affect them as much as Ukraine. But the question of ending the war is an interesting one. Do we see Russia continuing the war if they lose most of their ill-gotten territorial gains? What happens to those insecure areas? Are people going to rebuild, i.e. invest scarce resources in unstable areas? Or will they just become dead zones, DMZ borders?

[–] nat_turner_overdrive@hexbear.net 9 points 1 year ago (40 children)

I'm pretty sure once Ukraine has thrown away enough lives trying to get to the first line of defense, Russia is going to use their mobilized army to roll up the coast line all the way up to Transnistria.

[–] Tester@lemm.ee 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

And this is based on the overwhelming success of the current Russian attempts?

[–] nat_turner_overdrive@hexbear.net 9 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Yes

By this time next year Ukraine will not have any coastline under their control.

[–] Frank@hexbear.net 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They probably won't have an 18-35 year old men under their control, either. I'm kind of surprised they can still find people willing to die for this bullshit.

[–] SoyViking@hexbear.net 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

There's a reason why they're kidnapping men off the streets and press-ganging them to fight for the Kiev regime. The slava ukraini epic marvel stuff is not making enough people volunteer to go die in a minefield.

[–] Tester@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm willing to take that bet. Just like Russia will take Kiev in 3 days. Just like Ukraine would be under Russian control in a matter of months. Just like many other Russian PR predictions, worthless.

[–] nat_turner_overdrive@hexbear.net 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

...Those predictions were Western ones, not Russian ones.

[–] chowder@lemmy.one -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] nat_turner_overdrive@hexbear.net 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh damn I didn't realize Belarus was Russia, this changes everything

[–] chowder@lemmy.one 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh damn I didn't realize Belarus was western, this changes everything.

[–] nat_turner_overdrive@hexbear.net 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Someone not involved in the operation and also not even from Russia doesn't really matter, particularly not a shit talker like lukashenko-tired that motherfucker says all kinds of crazy shit

[–] chowder@lemmy.one 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Not involved? He let an invasion be lauched from his territory. That's pretty damn involved.

My landlord doesn't know shit about what I launch from his territory

[–] SeborrheicDermatitis@hexbear.net 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I would bet you £10 (or dollar equivalent) that this will not happen, to be donated to a charity of the other's choice, honestly. Absolutely no chance Russia takes Odessa and reaches the Romanian border.

[–] nat_turner_overdrive@hexbear.net 19 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What is it with liberals and making bets they absolutely will not honor? Two redditors already owe me donations because they predicted Russia would be pushed back over the Russian border within six months, back in mid-2022. You should donate to any charity you like instead of whatever weird shit this is.

[–] SeborrheicDermatitis@hexbear.net 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't have £10 spare right now I'm really struggling sorry, but I plan on having it in a year God Willing. I would've done it but the point is I am certain of it not coming to pass.

PS I am not a liberal, how dare you >:(

[–] nat_turner_overdrive@hexbear.net 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

"let's bet money on a conflict with bodies piling up" is not a sentiment I would expect from a leftist

[–] SeborrheicDermatitis@hexbear.net 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think that is a pretty clear misrepresentation. I was simply saying in a dramatic way that the notion of Russia occupying Odessa and the land all the way down to the Romanian border is outlandish.

[–] nat_turner_overdrive@hexbear.net 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Then say that next time rather than proposing a wager determined by the deaths and maiming of thousands?

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