[Goose]

Mariupol being a good example.  Long after the city was captured by Russia and the Ukrainians were hunkered down in the steel plant, they were still able to inflict casualties and, critically, divert Russian resources.

I don’t expect that Ukraine will be able to recapture Severodonetsk, but if they can get Russian troops bogged down in the city, and can take advantage of the terrain to hurt the occupying forces, it will help Ukraine elsewhere on the battlefield.

BC

Mariupol was indeed a good example. There was more to it than that however, as I found out after it was basically all over. Apparently the Ukrainians hunkered down in the steel plant still had the M14 in range of weapons that could destroy traffic on the road. Russia couldn't use that road as long as they held out there. I kept wondering why the Russians expended so much time and blood on that target. They could have just left them to rot. The problem was that it apparently closed the road.

Severodonetsk, like Mariupol, is a significant political target. However, if it becomes too costly Russia can just bypass it and let the Ukrainians surrounded therein wither. There is no M14 involved there, so the Ukrainians should not allow themselves to be cut off there. Of course, driving the Russians out will work too. Either way, do maximum damage to delay and destroy the enemy.

[Goose]

Mariupol being a good example.  Long after the city was captured by Russia and the Ukrainians were hunkered down in the steel plant, they were still able to inflict casualties and, critically, divert Russian resources.

I don’t expect that Ukraine will be able to recapture Severodonetsk, but if they can get Russian troops bogged down in the city, and can take advantage of the terrain to hurt the occupying forces, it will help Ukraine elsewhere on the battlefield.

BC

Mariupol was indeed a good example. There was more to it than that however, as I found out after it was basically all over. Apparently the Ukrainians hunkered down in the steel plant still had the M14 in range of weapons that could destroy traffic on the road. Russia couldn't use that road as long as they held out there. I kept wondering why the Russians expended so much time and blood on that target. They could have just left them to rot. The problem was that it apparently closed the road.

Severodonetsk, like Mariupol, is a significant political target. However, if it becomes too costly Russia can just bypass it and let the Ukrainians surrounded therein wither. There is no M14 involved there, so the Ukrainians should not allow themselves to be cut off there. Of course, driving the Russians out will work too. Either way, do maximum damage to delay and destroy the enemy.