The speculation that Russia is plotting to restore its historic writ over Odessa throughout the course of the special operation is based on similarly specious reasoning as the earlier speculation that it plotted to capture Kiev in three days. President Putin reminded everyone that Odessa is a Russian city during his annual end of the year review in mid-December, which
Just to be clear for any who don't carry around a map of Ukraine in their heads, Odessa is in the southwestern part of Ukraine. Putin was very specifically talking about the southeastern part, which is mostly already in Russian control anyway.
Russia could no doubt prosecute the war until it controlled the entire Black Sea coast of Ukraine if it wanted to. Putin is saying that he does NOT want to do that.
If Putin doesn't even insist on making Odessa a part of Russia, then he certainly doesn't want to conquer at least the former Warsaw Pact, as so many US Empire propagandists are claiming.
Odessa has more strategic value than Kiev, and a less Russophobic population than Kiev. The overwhelming difficulty lies in actually gaining control of it. Located adjacent to western lands, while RF side needing to cross substantial water barriers to resupply, it is not a realistic military objective.
Just to be clear for any who don't carry around a map of Ukraine in their heads, Odessa is in the southwestern part of Ukraine. Putin was very specifically talking about the southeastern part, which is mostly already in Russian control anyway.
Russia could no doubt prosecute the war until it controlled the entire Black Sea coast of Ukraine if it wanted to. Putin is saying that he does NOT want to do that.
If Putin doesn't even insist on making Odessa a part of Russia, then he certainly doesn't want to conquer at least the former Warsaw Pact, as so many US Empire propagandists are claiming.
Odessa has more strategic value than Kiev, and a less Russophobic population than Kiev. The overwhelming difficulty lies in actually gaining control of it. Located adjacent to western lands, while RF side needing to cross substantial water barriers to resupply, it is not a realistic military objective.