Ukraine's strike of the fuel depot at Belgorod was MUCH more than a bold tactical move.
While 1.5 M gallons of fuel is certainly a critical target & will be significant in this logistics war...there's more.
This is what's called a "deep strike" in US military parlance. 1/6
A deep strike is meant to cause physical damage to the enemy, but it's also designed to cause increased fear, a feeling that no where is safe, & it sends the message " we will come after you everywhere, especially when you're not expecting it." 2/
The Russians believed Belorus and RU territory were safe havens. They're now less confident of that.
The RUs believed they could return to bases in Belarus - to the motor pools they once occupied - and reconsolidate and they would be untouched. No more. 3/
A deep strike doesn't directly or immediately affect the front line troops ...but it does have a significant effect on the troops in the rear (the logistics folks, and those returning from the fight).
That's a big deal, and it has huge psychological implications. 4/
Beyond being bold & audacious, this UKR strike into Belgorod required more than just 2 helicopters striking a target...
It required analysis of target set, planning of the mission, preparation of the routes, jamming of the enemy radars, and a precise strike ability. 5/
The fact that the UKR leaders will not "confirm or deny" they did the strike is also - to me - an exclamation point.
It says to me "yeah, we did it, and when we get a chance we'll do it again."
That's panache. Ukraines got it going on. 6/6
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