All language subtitles for 0026-0011hiuoi

Two factors are driving the retreat of Russian
forces. First, the successful recent Ukrainian

offensives against Russian units in the Kherson
region, especially on the banks of the Dnieper.

Second, the trap in which many Russian
units are trapped to the southwest on

the islands that form the river delta, where
the Dnieper begins to flow into the Black Sea.

Russia is now trying to move large reinforcements
of recruits to areas south of the Dnieper

in the hope of preventing further advances by
Ukrainian forces, which could push their forces

to the Black Sea coast and cut them off from the
northwestern approaches to the Crimean Peninsula.

Many of these recruits are
currently stationed in Crimea,

in key areas of the Donetsk region, and
on the left bank of the Dnieper River.

Virtually all of them lack training, suitable
clothing, weapons, and other equipment.

Consequently, without these resources, they are
unfit for duty, as are many other front-line

units. When Ukraine continues its offensive,
the conscripts will be a huge burden to the

Russian command. They will have to deal with
deserters ready to surrender or refuse to fight.

Once Ukraine's armed forces break through
Russian positions in Donetsk oblast,

where fighting has been particularly intense,
and hold those positions under their control,

Russian units in Crimea and on the left bank of
the Dnieper River will be in a desperate position.

Winter is fast approaching. Many
recruits and regular troops will

face hunger and cold if they are deprived
of vital supplies of food, water, fuel,

etc. They will have no choice
but to surrender to stay alive.

The surrender of tens of thousands of Russian
soldiers on the Crimean Peninsula, in the Dnieper

basin, and in the Donbass would be a powerful blow
to Russia and to Putin's ego. The strategically

important Crimean peninsula and the naval base
in Sevastopol, together with the Russian naval

forces stationed there, will return to Ukrainian
control. The land bridge connecting Russia with

Crimea through the Donbass and Luhansk regions
will also be lost. Since the occupied territories

on Ukraine's left bank, the Crimean peninsula,
and the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics

are at the core of Putin's overall strategy,
defeat in these areas would likely end the war.

There may soon be a full mobilization in Russia
and attempts to push back the Ukrainians with

large forces of recruits, but these battles will
be bloodier and more intense than anything we have

seen in this war so far. And this time Russia will
find itself in the position of the losing side.