Why stop now? Ukraine Seen Pressing Advantage after Kherson Victory; Poland Says ‘no indication’ Missile Strike was a Russian Attack; Analysis: Stray Missile Hit in Poland Casts Spotlight on NATO Air Defence Gaps; UKR Air Defence Shoots Down Over 70 Missiles, But 15 Energy Infrastructure Facilities were Hit, LIVE UPDATES and MORE

REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Analysis: Why stop now? Ukraine seen pressing advantage after Kherson victory:

After recapturing Kherson from Russian forces and assured of unstinting U.S. support, Ukraine is well positioned to push its advantage in the war rather than accept frozen frontlines through winter, some military analysts said.

The strategic and symbolic victory comes as fierce fighting continues further north along more than 1,000 km of front lines, a reminder that even with the vast Dnipro River now separating the enemies around Kherson, other objectives remain in play.

"Ukraine has the initiative and momentum and is dictating to the Russians where and when the next fight will be," said Philip Ingram, a former senior British military intelligence officer.

That could include refocusing the offensive closer to Bakhmut in the industry-heavy eastern region of Donbas, where Russia has itself been trying to break through for months.

"The winter will slow things but not stop them - the Ukrainians will be well prepared to keep fighting through the winter, the Russians will be less well prepared to survive the winter cold," he said.

Mile after mile of abandoned trenches along the road to the southern port city of Kherson spoke of the miserable living conditions some Russian forces had to endure on the right bank of Kherson before their retreat.

Reuters witnessed trenches that were narrow, muddy and often exposed to the elements, in contrast to the wooden-floored trenches of the Ukrainians, some equipped with internet and flat-screen TVs.

"Whatever (the Ukrainians) do, it will be carefully planned, kept secret and will likely be extremely well executed," Ingram added.

Retired U.S. General Ben Hodges said there would be no need for Ukraine to rush across the Dnipro while it secures Kherson on the right (west) bank and pulls up artillery to bear down on Russian forces defending the approaches to annexed Crimea. --->READ MORE HERE

REUTERS

Poland says ‘no indication’ missile strike was a Russian attack:

Poland and the head of NATO said Wednesday that the missile that hit Poland and killed two people was likely a stray fired by Ukraine’s forces and not a Russian strike.

“Ukraine’s defense was launching their missiles in various directions and it is highly probable that one of these missiles, unfortunately, fell on Polish territory,” Polish President Andrzej Duda said. “There is nothing, absolutely nothing, to suggest that it was an intentional attack on Poland.”

NATO leaders on Wednesday held an emergency meeting in Brussels, where Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg echoed the preliminary findings.

“We have no indication that this was the result of a deliberate attack,” Stoltenberg said.

But Stoltenberg added that he wanted to “be clear” that “this is not Ukraine’s fault.”

“Russia bears ultimate responsibility, as it continues its illegal war against Ukraine,” he added

The missile landed on a grain facility in the village of Przewodów, about 15 miles from the Ukrainian border, and initially raised concerns that neighboring nations could be pulled into the Ukraine war.

President Biden told reporters Tuesday evening that it was “unlikely” the deadly strike had been fired by Russia, but that NATO would meet to “support Poland’s investigation.” --->READ MORE HERE

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