There is a huge disparity between Russia's political bluster and its actual warfighting capability - its illusion of invincibility has been shattered.
Battle of Bakhmut nears tipping pointDespite's impressive array of military capability - regularly displayed during massive parades - it has been unable to translate this equipment into battle-winning capability. A combination of systemic corruption, autocratic leadership and a reliance on 20th-century military tactics had created the illusion of Russian invincibility; this illusion has been shattered.
What next? Russia can generate more soldiers through mobilisation, but quantity does not equal quality. Although lessons will have been learned, the Russian forces have the same weapons, and thousands of inexperienced recruits, so how will they hope to turn the tide?Who is winning the war in Ukraine?
Modern battlefield success relies on teamwork - an all-arms approach. Russia needs its tanks, artillery, infantry, intelligence and air force operating coherently where the Russian advantage of scale could prove decisive.
Although warships, tanks and fast-jets provide a very tangible and credible visual deterrent, the decisive measure of warfighting capability is how these military assets are employed, which requires intensive training - individually and collectively. It is difficult, costly and time-consuming, but teamwork is vital to leverage the skills, experience, capabilities and intelligence of all available assets to create decisive capability. Western militaries train relentlessly in the joint environment - Russia clearly does not.
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