Two views.

I agree that the most significant aspect of this is that there have still been no nukes. I wonder if Putin is concerned that either they’re no longer functional, or that he can’t trust his underlings to use them.

This is a little more crude than probably necessary, but it’s pretty much correct.

[Update a while later]

Russia is an empire that needs liberation.

Many people don’t realize that russia is still an empire. In fact, russia fits perfectly the definition of an empire: an extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority.

1/n pic.twitter.com/rHu9zVSCky

— Roman Sheremeta 🇺🇦 (@rshereme) August 19, 2024

[Update a few minutes later]

Four key Russian railway junctions. It’s a huge vulnerability, and likely part of Ukraine’s plans.