War on the Rocks The Last Stand Dilemma in Ukraine
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Nov 20, 2025 
Lawrence Freedman, a distinguished strategist known for his expertise on international security, joins the discussion to analyze Ukraine's critical dilemma of when to hold ground versus retreat. He explores the delicate balance between preserving forces and managing political pressures, especially regarding the intense fight for Pokrovsk. Freedman highlights the significant role of manpower, the implications of attrition, and contrasts the realities of the battlefield with historical parallels. He also delves into the psychological impacts of Russian propaganda and the complex theories of victory at play.
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The Last-Stand Dilemma
- Last-stand choices are a true dilemma requiring timely decisions to enable orderly retreats and avoid slaughter.
- Commanders must weigh immediate gains from holding ground against alternative uses of scarce forces.
Assess Holdability Before Committing
- Assess whether you can actually hold a position before committing scarce forces to it.
- Evaluate political significance separately from military utility to guide force allocation.
Bakhmut's Cost To Ukrainian Offense
- Bakhmut consumed Ukraine's most experienced, battle-hardened troops and weakened their later offensive potential.
- The counteroffensive was then run by fresher, less experienced units, a costly trade-off.