BLUF
Many observers believed Russia’s overwhelming combat power would enable a quick victory over Ukraine. However, these analysts did not consider that more than just weapon-systems numbers influence wartime performance.Summary
This article by Liam Collins, writing for The Conversation, makes the following points:
- Success in battle also relies on strategy, operational employment, doctrine, training, leadership, culture and the will to fight.
- Russia has an overwhelming numerical advantage in manpower and weapon systems, but Ukraine holds the advantage in every other factor.
- Ukraine’s military competence goes a long way to explaining why Russia failed to seize Kyiv and Kharkiv.
- Following a comprehensive review of its military, Ukraine enacted the Strategic Defense Bulletin of Ukraine in 2016, which included sweeping defence reform that would produce a force capable of performing to NATO standards by 2020.
References
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References from the Web:
- MAY 2022 Military briefing: can Ukraine push the Russian army from the country?—FT
- MAY 2022 Russian troops ill-prepared for Ukraine war, says ex-Kremlin mercenary—Reuters
- MAY 2022 Vladimir Putin is losing the support of Russian troops in Ukraine - his Victory Day speech was a desperate attempt to claw it back—Sky News
