Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

xenoghost1 t1_jac0y3r wrote

Reply to comment by A_Dehydrated_Walrus in Ukraine war: Zelensky says situation in Bakhmut worsening by jacobhong

if Zelenskiy is talking about it going rough, he already is pulling people out.

36

Va-Va-Vooom t1_jac1b64 wrote

Or he has concentrated large amounts of troops nearby. There's nothing to gain to let the enemy know whats up.

8

joho999 t1_jac2gzi wrote

Lots to be gained, he has favourable public opinion, and that in turn influences the people who give Ukraine aid, if you can get the arms to take 3 steps forward by taking one step back then it's worth it.

13

Thue t1_jacgvar wrote

Or it is misdirection to make the Russian overcommit, and then be crushed by a counterattack from the Ukrainian reserves. A modern version of the Parthian shot.

Note that I am not claiming either way. Just that you should always consider the misdirection motive in war. Feinted retreats into ambush are a classic tactic.

4

mechanicalpulse t1_jacnt5n wrote

Exactly my thoughts. I've never heard of the Parthian shot (that was a great read, thank you for the link), but I am reminded of the Battle of Austerlitz in which Napolean deftly executed just such a feinted retreat into ambush. Modern engagements are very different, of course, so I think the Parthian shot is an apt comparison to the grenade-carrying drones that are picking off individual Russian soldiers. In any case, you're right to point out that deception remains an important aspect of military strategy.

3

xenoghost1 t1_jacisub wrote

always a chance, just saying with the information available

1