Part of me feels sorry for Russian soldiers. Not those who have engaged in war crimes of looting, rape, torture and murder. But those who are trying to do what their government says they are doing. Russia has been pushed back in the Kharkiv region. By pushed back, it appears to be a rout. That must lead to further problems for a Russian soldier.
When they fight, they do not appear to be being paid, let alone getting the pay for serving in a conflict zone as officially, they are in Russia. Which means that if they die, despite claims by the government, their loved ones will not get the financial compensation they are due.
In addition to this, can they count on other units to hold the line, or should they do what others have done and retreat? We saw such routs happen in Afghanistan when The Taliban quickly took the towns and cities (using the road infrastructure the west built) as well as in Iraq when Unislamic State swept across the nation.
It may be that Russia will be able to prevent this from happening in the Luhansk Oblast, but if they fail to do so, what will happen to the Donetsk Oblast? If that falls, Russian forces in Southern Ukraine will only be supplied by a bridge to Crimea.
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