Discussions of escalation management in Ukraine are usually framed from a Western perspective and the incremental provision of aid by Ukraine's allies. But as the war carries on Moscow faces escalation dilemmas of its own.

It has an imperative to escalate in ways that place as much pressure on Ukraine as possible, but often attempts to do so prompt responses from Ukraine's allies that put Russia in a worse place than when it started.

Today, we look at four recent Russian lines of escalation and effort in Ukraine, from the Kharkiv offensive to the new partnership agreement with North Korea. We ask what the logic might have been behind those moves, what the effect has been, and ask the question....will they improve Russia's position or leave it at greater risk than before.

Patreon:
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Reading and Sourcing (WIP) :

Maps of territorial control per Deepstatemap as always

Visually confirmed equipment losses per Oryx

Kharkiv specific figures per @naalsio26

TASS on KCNA releasing the agreement text:
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TASS on the Putin 'peace plan' (including the requirement for a Ukrainian withdrawal)
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Reporting on Results of the Swiss summit
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Estonian MoD: Setting Transatlantic Defence up for Success: A Military Strategy for Ukraine’s Victory and Russia’s Defeat
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Reporting on US restricting Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory
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Reporting on Zelensky removing Lt Gen Yuriy Sodol
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Reporting on Ammunition Supply
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US sending legacy SAMS to Ukraine
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TASS on Russian advance in Kharkiv slowing
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Featured Guardian article on Kharkiv
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Reporting on the 'buffer zone' motive for the Kharkiv offensive
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Chasiv Yar
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Featured Stoltenberg quote
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The response to the Putin peace offer at the Swiss summit
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Included Kharkiv image
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BBC on Putin's ceasefire offer
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Caveats & Comments:
All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 — Opening Words
00:01:19 — What Am I Talking About?
00:01:43 — The Russian Effort
00:04:38 — Battlefield Dynamics
00:11:32 — Losses & Costs
00:20:10 — Kharkiv And Escalation
00:26:28 — The Korean Connection
00:39:26 — The Long Range Campaign
00:47:59 — Putin's "Peace"
01:00:58 — What Next?
01:02:56 — Channel Update

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