This post first appeared on Russia Insider
As both sides press for advantage to improve their respective president's negotiating position in Minsk, Kiev's armies appear to be losing badly lately.
Taking advantage of a strategic mistake by Kiev, the Resistance has managed to encircle a large number of troops and equipment. Military analysts estimate that approximately 5000 troops are encircled. They include the 8th army corps, the 28th and 30th motor rifle brigades, the 95th Ukrainian air mobile brigade and the Aidar, Donbass and Shakhtersk battalions.
These formations posesses a large amount of equipment. Approximately: 80 tanks, 280 armored combat vehicles, 110 rocket systems (Grad and Uragan), and 100 artillery and mortars. If part or all of this equipment is captured by the Resistance, it will dramatically change the balance of forces, to the extreme disadvantage of Kiev.
It is possible that Kiev can break out of this entrapment, but the fact that it happened at all is a PR disaster for Kiev and weakens their hand in Minsk. It does not bode well for future developments. If Kiev is unable to break out and the entrapped units are destroyed or surrender, it will effectively mean defeat for Kiev.
Coming after humiliating POW parades through Donetsk, additional planes being shot down, and the inability to stop the humanitarian convoy, Kiev's image and real position is very much on the defensive.
This post first appeared on Russia Insider
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