I don’t understand the scorn… remember that these are the same people who thought they were going to drive to Crimea last summer, after announcing it to the world for months in advance. Their Strykers and Kozaks can do 60 km on pavement in 30 minutes, and they went to great lengths this time to keep the whole thing secret. They just might have gotten away with it if not for the heroic defense of the border crossing and the approaches to Sudzhe. In any case it had a higher chance of success than anything else they’ve tried the last year: Krinki, Kinburn Spit, etc etc.

Andrew Blanchard, Scorn?! Heh heh. Oh, dear, lucky the Russian Army isn't as sensitive as their observers in the "west", eh? Otherwise zelenski-pants and his merry band of losers would've been moving in on Vladivostok by now, 😱. As for the Strykers, cough, may I suggest you look up "ISR" (and the space based versions) after you google "maps"? Hint: It doesn’t end up well for your hypothetical strykers trying to blend in with the Russian farmers speeding their way on the concrete roads to the mart. 

Jean, нет, не собирался. Это для меня много лишней работы.

Kostya, Pretty much my routine, although if there are interviews with someone I like, or a topic that appeals, I'll listen to them. I did some reading of recent research on learning when I started a job lecturing at Uni. We tend to fall either mainly into the seeing and reading, or listening groups. I mixed by putting points, important details on to an overhead, often with a graph or pic if appropriate, but was also speaking, so both were there. Most of us do use both, with a preference. I can remember written words cos I take a mental picture and can go back and "read", but cannot do that from just hearing. We are all a bit different though. My son has a long drive to and from work, and is addicted to podcasts!!!!

Dmitry Orlov,
I am quite aware that among the general population in Russia Serbia is barely ever on the radar.

I am also somewhat aware that Russia has its own hot messes to deal with.

The man is a poet, but I think you are missing the point, this is not a question of scale.

Dmitry Orlov, What I and Mr Матич there are essentially trying to convey to the Russian elite, if anyone is listening, is that this is not just about Serbia, it's about you guys knowing what the hell you are doing and where you are going. Doesn't look too good, let me tell you.

Pete M, as far as I know, those are not the orders. The Ukrainian army's order of battle is at this point destroyed. The mop-up operation will take time, of course. Once that's over, the Russian troops massed in Kursk region will probably take control of some part of Sumy region as well (because why not). As far as "showing the West" — what West? Does it still exist?

Dmitry Orlov, I wish I saw this earlier. I've never witnesses the U.S. backing down like an adult, not a child, albeit stupid. It would be life changing. Thank you for your incite as an actual first person witness to the progression of battle. We all need to learn the chess moves in global affairs.