I think Russia's trade interests with Western Europe is the most solid factor restraining their strategy. They can't afford to completely destroy their reputation if they want a market for their oil and gas there. So I do think they will continue to be cautious somewhat. But I do expect that they will target infrastructure they believe they can destroy without looking too bad. Maybe not nuclear reactors or farms. But many other things will probably be destroyed in the hard winter.
Infrastructure to pipe gas to China has expanded and continues to expand. Russia soon will not need the European market. But it is Europe, not Russia, that has chosen not to accept Russian gas. But at some point, they won't have the choice to reconsider.
That is one thing Davis said. He mentioned any real movement will be after the fall rains are done and there is a hard freeze in the winter. Then the spring thaw will cause a pause for a while too.
Whose to say that by the time fall and winter end, Ukraine will still have the financial, manpower, and weaponry to conduct any kind of offensive. And I think they know that. That's why they are attempting to conduct offensives right now. It's a "hail mary" to achieve some victories before the time elapses.
However, I am hearing that Russia isn't really able to provide troops with winter supplies and coats. If that is the case it will get very ugly for them as they have the choice of freezing to death or running into enemy fire. It's an absolute mess.
That's absurd. Pure propaganda. The surplus revenue Russia is realizing from commodity sales are in the hundreds of billions.