Editorial|Editorial
Ukraine has used Russia’s own weapons against the aggressor. Next, we will see if Ukraine has the strength to counterattack.
Ukraine brought a new element to the war with his attacks on military targets in Crimea. Ukraine has not said how the attacks were carried out, but it appears that Ukraine has fighters it calls partisans in areas occupied by Russia.
In Russia, the word partisan has a special meaning. During the Second World War, the partisan forces operating behind the German lines became romantic heroes in Russia. In Finland, things were seen differently, as Russian partisans terrorized the civilian population, especially in northern Finland.
Partisans have a military significance, especially as breakers of transport connections and supply lines. They can also conduct reconnaissance and point out targets for artillery or anti-aircraft. However, perhaps the biggest effect is psychological: the fear of partisans forces the Russians to flash behind them all the time.
It is difficult for an occupier to stabilize its position if it does not know who it can trust. Militaries often commit atrocities when trying to root out guerrilla fighters from their territory. Random brutalities, on the other hand, turn the people against the occupier and bring new fighters to the partisans.
Guerrilla warfare is just one example of how Ukraine has turned Russia’s own war doctrines to its advantage. Russia has often used the tactic of avoiding a decisive battle until the aggressor has been weakened enough. This is how Peter the Great acted against Charles XII, Mikhail Kutuzov against Napoleon and Georgi Zhukov against Nazi Germany.
For half a year now, Ukraine has allowed Russia to advance, but at a heavy price. US intelligence sources by Russia has already lost 70,000–80,000 soldiers in the war either dead or wounded.
In the near future, we will see if Ukraine can turn the tide of the war and take back its territories. It’s not easy, but it’s possible – especially if Ukraine gets enough help.
The editorials are HS’s positions on a current topic. The articles are prepared by HS editorial staff, and they reflect the journal principle line.
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