I love this bit in particular, they’re just recycling the whole Russia couldn’t take Kiev with 100k troops thing here

After an influx of American weapons and money helped Ukraine blunt a renewed invasion of the northeast Kharkiv region in May, preventing a major breakthrough and dashing Moscow’s hopes of surrounding Ukraine’s second-largest city, Russian commanders have refocused their attention on the Donetsk region, perhaps Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top territorial goal.

The whole purpose of opening a front in Kharkov was to force Ukraine to pull troops from Donbas to plug the holes, which is precisely what enabled the current offensive to happen.

and I guess they have to finally abandon the whole Asiatic hordes narrative now

“Having previously just thrown men at prolonged, high casualty efforts,” she continued, “Russian operational commanders are now learning how to do simultaneous and mutual reinforcing offensive efforts and maintain constant pressure on Ukrainian resources.”