Russia’s attempts to make short work of Ukraine have so far failed. Putin’s troops are advancing slowly, many Russian soldiers are said to have been killed.
Ukraine – Both experts and laypeople are amazed at the steadfastness of the Ukrainians in the Ukraine war*. Despite the unequal proportions of the respective armies, Russian President Vladimir Putin* does not seem to be making progress with his military as planned. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government repeatedly publishes numbers of fallen Russian soldiers, shows videos of prisoners of war* and can report multiple successes in defense.
Given Russia’s inherently superior military might, how does Ukraine manage to hold out in the way it has been doing since the Russian invasion began on February 24*? There are a few points that the Ukrainians play in their defense and use them to their advantage.
Ukraine war with difficult terrain for Russia: Ukrainians use their knowledge
In any other context one would probably speak of home advantage. A point made by experts is that the Russian army does not have the same knowledge of the area. The people of Ukraine know the strategic points that need to be defended. For example, when Russia attacked an airfield in northern Kiev. There, the Ukrainian soldiers were able to fend off forces in the air and on the ground. And thus ensured that Russia’s attempt to set up an airlift was prevented. That’s what she writes New York Times (NYT) about the first hours of the Russian attack on Ukraine.
“The Ukrainian armed forces are doing quite well in defending cities and fighting on the outskirts,” Michael Kofman, director of the US Defense Institute (CNA), told the news portal. The disorganized nature of Russian warfare helps. Since the Ukrainian armed forces know their stuff, they can get loud New York Times go to critical locations more quickly and in a more targeted manner – and react faster.
In addition to the fact that the Ukrainian troops are more agile, their attacks and counterattacks are more targeted. Also the NZZ speaks of the skilful defense of the Ukrainians, which slows down the Russian attack – but emphasizes that the Russian offensive, although slower than planned, is continuing with no prospect of an end.
War in Ukraine: armies in information warfare – and the mood of the population in Russia
More than in any previous conflict, the Ukraine war shows the extent to which the Internet has embedded itself in everyday life. There are new reports every hour, every minute, sometimes every second. The situation is constantly changing and can supposedly be followed in real time. This brings with it a new dimension of information warfare.
While the Russian government under Putin would like to describe the deployment as a “special operation” or “peace mission”, they are faced with the sheer endless expanse of the Internet, which is difficult to control. The hacker collective Anonymous recently turned against the Kremlin. Among other things, the state agency Tass and the online presence of the newspapers were affected by an attack on Monday Izvestia and Kommersant affected, as reported by the dpa. On the website of Izvestia a banner of the hacker collective appeared. “We urge you to stop this madness, do not send your sons and husbands to certain death. Putin makes us lie and puts us in danger.”
Meanwhile, rumors are circulating that Putin kept the war secret from the soldiers*. The eyes of the world population are on the Russian people. One question is being asked more and more often: What is the mood like in Russia?* On the other hand, there are the Ukrainians, who are fighting for their survival and their country. They have the majority support of other countries.
Ukraine War: Military Expert Analyzes – “Side That Learns Faster and Adapts Faster Will Win”
The Ukrainian military forces appear to be better able to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. According to Frederick B. Hodges, a former US Army commander in Europe who now works for the Center for European Policy Analysis, theory and practice in war are always separate. “In combat, things are always different than you expected, and the side that learns and adapts faster will win.” So far, this has been Ukraine, says the military expert NYT.
Putin’s troops falter in Ukraine war: Was it bad planning?
Aside from the direct armed conflicts, another point is made when it comes to why Putin has not yet been able to record a clear victory. It is the logistics of the Russians, explains political scientist Carlo Masala from the Bundeswehr University in Munich in the ARD “Focal Point”. There are sometimes “logistical problems” with the replenishment of fuel. He also speaks of a lack of supplies for the Russian troops.
The assumption that there will be less resistance than actually followed could also be a factor slowing down the invasion. There is repeated talk of Russia underestimating the Ukrainians’ ability to defend themselves. Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the Ukrainian population and army to overthrow the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy*. There was no reaction. Instead, former NATO general Egon Ramms spoke on ZDF at the weekend that the Ukrainians would defend themselves “very sustainably”.(mda)*Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
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