What will Putin do against the backdrop of military defeat of

Pavel Bayev political scientist, Professor of the Institute of Peace Research (Oslo) Pavel Bayev: Putin is afraid to show weakness by giving up Kherson (photo: Reuters), like other weak leaders, Putin preferred to postpone a difficult choice - until it is late. The long -awaited Ukrainian counter -offensive in the south has not yet been crowned with the liberation of Kherson, but it is still a critical turning point in the war.

Russia cannot hope for victory, following the schemes of trench war and artillery. Some "patriotic" observers believe that the failures of Ukrainian attacks will open the way to a new Russian offensive on Nikolaev and Odessa, but the Kremlin's highest command is unlikely to have such strategic fantasies. During the summer offensive, Russia captured Severodonetsk and Lisichansk, spending such large material resources and battalions that there is little opportunity for a new throw.