May 14, 2022 (The New Atlas) - Update for Russian military operations in Ukraine for May 11, 2022.
Key developments:
- Russia celebrated Victory Day (May 9) with respect and dignity - without a need for flaunting “victory” in Ukraine;
- Canceled flyover was due to weather and has happened in the past, including as recently as 2017;
- For perspective, Russia was to fly 77 aircraft over Moscow which is more aircraft than Ukraine now has in its entire airforce;
- Ukraine’s desire for a symbolic victory resulted in a disastrous operation around Snake Island and a costly “advance” around Kharkov versus Russian troops merely performing fixing operations;
- Pentagon admits Russian progress continues in the Donbas, however “slow and uneven;”
- Even Ukraine’s General Staff admits Russia continues on the offensive in the Donbas;
- Russia takes Popasnya, constituting a major breakthrough of the line of contact in the Donbas;
- Russia will continue focusing on Donbas while holding positions elsewhere in Ukraine;
- Once Donbas is secured, the next area of focus will be targeted (for example Kharkov, Nikoliev, Odessa);
- This systematic approach is precisely how Russia and its allies retook Syria’s major population centers from 2015 onward.
