Except those gas pipes already go through Ukraine so if they wanted to threaten cutting the gas supply they could just cut the lines deep in their own territory.
Fact is, Ukraine understands that destabilising Europe by causing a gas shortage, while hitting Russias wallet, would make it much harder for European politicians supporting Ukraine to stay in power. They’re smart. They can see that their European allies are helping as much as they can, while still remaining popular enough at home to be able to keep up the assistance long term.
Taunt the Rus to try to take it back. Butcher the meat wave that tries. Become a persistent and stubborn threat, undermining Russian sovereignty, internal political stability by just hanging out in Russia without permission.
If they wanted to destroy it, they could have done so with artillery at any time since the Russians were pushed back from Kharkiv.
So if they aren’t going to leverage destroying it, what do you think they can get from it?
Ukraine: [looks at the completely open valves pumping gas full rate to Europe] “Can we launch long range strikes into Russia”
Europe: “No, we don’t want to upset the orcs”
Ukraine: [turns the valve once] “are you sure?..”
Europe: [sweating intensifies]
LOL, okay that does make sense.
Except those gas pipes already go through Ukraine so if they wanted to threaten cutting the gas supply they could just cut the lines deep in their own territory.
Fact is, Ukraine understands that destabilising Europe by causing a gas shortage, while hitting Russias wallet, would make it much harder for European politicians supporting Ukraine to stay in power. They’re smart. They can see that their European allies are helping as much as they can, while still remaining popular enough at home to be able to keep up the assistance long term.
Or they will just go " hey, our gas now. All yours Europe, thanks for the support"
That would be nice, but Europe would not accept it in fear of angering Putin
I have absolutely no clue. I suspect that capturing it was incidental. (It happened to be where they were going.)
Taunt the Rus to try to take it back. Butcher the meat wave that tries. Become a persistent and stubborn threat, undermining Russian sovereignty, internal political stability by just hanging out in Russia without permission.