Russia is expected to attack simultaneously on several fronts, but Ukraine’s armed forces will not be easily vanquished

Simon TisdallSat 19 Feb 2022 13.30 EST

How would a full-scale invasion work?

Exploiting its overwhelming superiority in land, sea and air forces, Russia is expected to attack simultaneouslyon several fronts, from the north-east, the Donbas and Crimea. Ground troops in Belarus, backed by airstrikes, would spearhead a lightning drive south to seize the capital, Kyiv. Ukraine’s encircled army would be forced, in theory, to surrender.

What are the main targets?

The primary aim would be the rapidcapitulation of Ukraine’s government in Kyivand the “neutralisation” of its elected leaders. Key targets would include the presidential palace, parliament, ministries, media outlets and the Maidan Nezalezhnosti – the symbolic site of Ukraine’s pro-democracy revolutions.

At what…