Great points views and lots of good questions Stan.
Some of my thoughts below who knows how its all gonna end.
1. Why wouldn't of Ukraine taken care of this, it's only a small section that would be part of the Azov's group. Certainly wouldn't stretch all the way up Eastern Ukraine where Russia are said to be liberating.
I guess that Mr Z's regime possibly behind the scenes does not mind these hardcore Nationalists/Nazis to do the dirty work for him they have been at it for eight years in Eastern Ukraine and prior to that since 2004 . Also there is a big element of Neo Nazis in Ukraine that goes all the way back to World War 2 they are followers of Stefan Banderas a miltant Nationalist who collaborated with the German Nazis
2. The last of the Azov's fighting battalions are gone. Yet Russia are looking to domove further into Ukraine. Surely If this is the case then the mission has been successful right? Wouldn't they be consolidating the group and looking to head back?
Good point have they all been eliminated who knows it was supposed to be a short swift operation but with the West supplying arms it aint gonna end too soon.
3. Russian foreign minister has said a number of times they are looking for a regime change in Ukraine. Is this not correct?
I did read that some where that they want a more friendlier government towards Russia.
4. This would mean it has nothing to do with Nato then and what you mention previously about the agreement when the USSR broke up.
Recall it was one of your earlier posts. You said this was the reason. Russia feels the agreement has been breached with Ukraine wanting to join NATO.
The narrative from Russia has changed had the war has gone on.
yes it goes back to broken agreements over the last thirty years ie NATO and USA placement of military bases assistance arms in former USSR satelite countries also NATO/USA training the Ukraine army over the last fifteen years or so.
5. Why did they try to get to the captial on the first day?[/quote]
Maybe to show that if they wanted to they could or maybe because of the backing of NATO/USA/West he got cold feet and backed off Putin militarily could of gone all the way to Kiev taken out MR Z and the conflict could of been over who knows.
Very complex complicated conflict
I see on Wednesday Russia took out 100 US made HIMAR rockets around $160,000 each the launchers are around $5 Million each at a Ukrainian depot i guess the USA is busily making more gotta keep that militaty industrial complex going in America.