UK MoD Bakhmut Isolated, EU Struggles to Find Tanks, Russia Massively Increases Arms Production (Alexander Mercouris)

It looks like Ukraine is trying to buy time with lives. The leadership there must have decided that the longer the war continues the more likely they will get direct help. So rather than negotiate for a peace deal they are hanging on. However, the huge expense in personnel is likely going to lead to a collapse at some point rather than an orderly retreat. The Russians might be planning to attrit the Ukrainian army up until the point of collapse whereafter they will possible engage in blitzkrieg type warfare and drive to the Polish border in order to isolate the country and prevent Western forces from coming in and creating a safe haven. The present fighting is possibly setting the stage for this sort of action, We should see a northern advance, although a southern feint might be initiated first.

[Posted at the SpookyWeather2 blog, February 6, 2023.]