The Russian commander of the “Vostok” Battalion fighting in southern Ukraine said on Thursday that Ukraine will not be defeated and suggested that Russia freeze the war along current frontlines.

Alexander Khodakovsky made the candid concession yesterday on his Telegram channel after Russian forces, including his own troops, were devastatingly defeated by Ukrainian marines earlier this week at Urozhaine in the Zaporizhzhia-Donetsk regional border area.

“Can we bring down Ukraine militarily? Now and in the near future, no,” Khodakovsky, a former official of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, said yesterday.

“When I talk to myself about our destiny in this war, I mean that we will not crawl forward, like the [Ukrainians], turning everything into [destroyed] Bakhmuts in our path. And, I do not foresee the easy occupation of cities,” he said.

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[–] MJBrune@beehaw.org -5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I mean they have kept it for the last 9 years. They had it before the war and everyone was fine with it until Russia invaded more. I don't see how Russia doesn't keep Crimea. It's something they considered Russian territory before the current war. They've pledged to use nukes if Ukraine counter attacks on their soil. My logic says they will use nukes to keep Crimea.

[–] Michal@discuss.tchncs.de 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Nobody is fine with Crimea - except Russia, but they want more. Crimea was the price to pay for peace, but peace was broken by Russia, so Russia does not get to keep it.

[–] MJBrune@beehaw.org -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No one jumped to defend Ukraine in 2014 as they did in 2022.

[–] Michal@discuss.tchncs.de 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Jumping to defend and being fine with are two different things. Let's not forget Russia is a "nuclear power".

[–] MJBrune@beehaw.org -1 points 1 year ago

That didn't stop them from supporting Ukraine in 2022, yet they didn't in 2014.

[–] SeaJ@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They've pledged to use nukes if Ukraine counter attacks on their soil.

They have already 'annexed' oblasts they do not completely control so that threat is pretty hollow.

[–] MJBrune@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

On their soil in that sentence means Russian's soil, not Ukraine's.

[–] SeaJ@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

While I agree that it is Ukraine's, Russia does not since they have gone through their legal process of annexation. They are currently fighting in what Russia legally considers their soil.