Post-Victory Day Update for Russian Military Ops in Ukraine

 May 14, 2022 (The New Atlas) – Update for Russian military operations in Ukraine for May 11, 2022. 

Key developments: 

• Russia celebrated Victory Day (May 9) with respect and dignity – without a need for flaunting “victory” in Ukraine; 
• Canceled flyover was due to weather and has happened in the past, including as recently as 2017; 
• For perspective, Russia was to fly 77 aircraft over Moscow which is more aircraft than Ukraine now has in its entire airforce; 
• Ukraine’s desire for a symbolic victory resulted in a disastrous operation around Snake Island and a costly “advance” around Kharkov versus Russian troops merely performing fixing operations; 
• Pentagon admits Russian progress continues in the Donbas, however “slow and uneven;” 
• Even Ukraine’s General Staff admits Russia continues on the offensive in the Donbas; 
• Russia takes Popasnya, constituting a major breakthrough of the line of contact in the Donbas; 
• Russia will continue focusing on Donbas while holding positions elsewhere in Ukraine; 
• Once Donbas is secured, the next area of focus will be targeted (for example Kharkov, Nikoliev, Odessa); 
• This systematic approach is precisely how Russia and its allies retook Syria’s major population centers from 2015 onward.