[Goose]

In the Ukraine war to retain independence, are the laws of war enforceable at all?  Russia obviously targeting civilians.  Not just civilian infrastructure, but actually trying to kill civilians, and succeeding.  Filtration, kidnapping, rape, etc.  It seems there are no limits on what Russia will do to try to defeat Ukraine's spirit.  For much of the war, Ukraine claimed the high ground.  Is Ukraine now deciding that the moral high ground is not sufficient incentive to refrain from retaliating in kind?  The strikes on Belgorod over the holiday surprised me, but maybe they should not have.  Curious for your takes on this.

Russia of course claims they are targeting "military" targets. Railroad infrastructure and electrical infrastructure are legitimate military targets. They are part of the "means to make war". Ukraine claims the same. Obviously, in many cases the attempt to hit legitimate targets is not "real", but neither side will admit it. While it is true that both Russia and Ukraine are using some weapons with a very large CEP, and while it is true these weapons "sometimes" malfunction, too many civilian targets are being hit to make it credible as "collateral damage".

Russia is indeed trying to break Ukraine's spirit. Ukraine has virtually no chance to do the same to Russia. Their attempts at it are targeting the home front. Striking back always raises morale. The problem is when/if the populations decides their retaliations are futile. It would be really great if the US could speak loudly to the World and encourage the Ukrainian population to believe they can win. Unfortunately we aren't and probably can't at this point. It isn't for certain Ukraine can get through this winter without morale cracking. If they do, they need to make lots of real progress during the fighting season and shake Russia's hold on the south. IMO Ukraine can't withstand next winter being like this winter is.

[Goose]

In the Ukraine war to retain independence, are the laws of war enforceable at all?  Russia obviously targeting civilians.  Not just civilian infrastructure, but actually trying to kill civilians, and succeeding.  Filtration, kidnapping, rape, etc.  It seems there are no limits on what Russia will do to try to defeat Ukraine's spirit.  For much of the war, Ukraine claimed the high ground.  Is Ukraine now deciding that the moral high ground is not sufficient incentive to refrain from retaliating in kind?  The strikes on Belgorod over the holiday surprised me, but maybe they should not have.  Curious for your takes on this.

Russia of course claims they are targeting "military" targets. Railroad infrastructure and electrical infrastructure are legitimate military targets. They are part of the "means to make war". Ukraine claims the same. Obviously, in many cases the attempt to hit legitimate targets is not "real", but neither side will admit it. While it is true that both Russia and Ukraine are using some weapons with a very large CEP, and while it is true these weapons "sometimes" malfunction, too many civilian targets are being hit to make it credible as "collateral damage".

Russia is indeed trying to break Ukraine's spirit. Ukraine has virtually no chance to do the same to Russia. Their attempts at it are targeting the home front. Striking back always raises morale. The problem is when/if the populations decides their retaliations are futile. It would be really great if the US could speak loudly to the World and encourage the Ukrainian population to believe they can win. Unfortunately we aren't and probably can't at this point. It isn't for certain Ukraine can get through this winter without morale cracking. If they do, they need to make lots of real progress during the fighting season and shake Russia's hold on the south. IMO Ukraine can't withstand next winter being like this winter is.