Ukraine in dire straits.

 NO GOOD NEWS FOR UKRAINE

LOSING ON EVERY FRONT

The Russians are advancing in every area of the eastern conflict zone. In some areas they are moving with only limited opposition, in some, there is heavy fighting, but the advance continues and is accelerating. It seems that Ukraine is going to make a stand at a place called Pokrovsk. It is shaping up to be a battle similar to Bakemut, Avdiivka or Mariupol, but if it falls, there may be little resistance to the Dnieper river.

It is reported that the Ukrainians are exhausted both physically and emotionally and can not continue under the constant assault for much longer.

In Kursk it is reported that the initial force of 12,000 has lost over 6600 of its soldiers, along with much of its major equipment. They have been unable to make any advances and it is reported that they are holed up in forests and in rough terrain. It is appearing that if no rescue by a major force, they may not even be able to retreat. 

Talks of negotiations and deals are mostly now becoming wishful thinking. The experience of Russia with any deals from the ill fated Minsk accords, the Turkish negotiations and even recently before the Kursk offensive, have likely ended any negotiated settlement without surrender.

It seems every negotiation has been used to rearm or stall for time. It may be that there will not be any negotiations until Russia reaches the Dnieper river at which point there may be another chance at a negotiated settlement, but it will not be in Ukraines favor.