As Russia’s war with Ukraine drags on into the sixth week, and as Moscow retreats from Kyiv, leaving hundreds of dead civilians in its wake, several immediate military lessons are becoming clearer. This is the first of three articles from a front-row seat in Ukraine.
The first of these lessons is that the old cliché got it exactly right: It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog.
A related lesson is that people’s defence works, if mobilised with the proper motivation and training. This was clear at the outset, when the Russians failed to quickly seize the strategic Antonov Airport just 10km from Kyiv in the first hours of the war, an engagement which infamously resulted in the destruction of the world’s largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya.
Moscow is likely, too, to leave behind defences to the north of Kyiv, forcing the Ukrainians to spread their limited forces.is Russian failure, arising out of a combination of the military and economic costs. Western sanctions will slowly but inevitably bite, making the conflict a “struggle between the refrigerator and the television”, commented one Ukrainian colonel. Rhetoric may make a full heart, but seldom fills the stomach.
Putting these numbers into perspective, Russia reported 14,400 soldiers killed in its decade of fighting in Afghanistan. Whatever the size of the losses already in Ukraine, the effect on morale is likely to be devastating. Not only does the Russian retreat from Kyiv secure Ukraine’s survival as an independent nation, but the unearthing of mass graves and widespread executions could prompt a tougher international and especially Western response not just on sanctions but on security assistance. Western policymakers will be scratching their heads as to how to increase assistance without starting World War 3. Cutting off gas purchases seems to be the biggest lever available.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WAR IN EUROPE ANALYSIS: As Russia abandons conquest of Kyiv, Putin’s strategic gamble unravelsThe fighting in Ukraine continues — even as the Russian military appears to be repositioning itself to achieve some kind of victory in the Donbas on the eastern side of Ukraine, and even if it means giving up on a quick victory at the gates of Kyiv. Can Ukraine hang on to hold off the Russians?
Read more »
EU wants sanctions on Russia over Bucha: Europe Warns Russia Faces New Sanctions for ‘War Crimes’(Bloomberg) -- Some European Union governments are pushing for the bloc to quickly impose new sanctions in response to multiple reports that Russian troops executed unarmed civilians in Ukrainian towns, according to diplomats familiar with the discussions.
Read more »
The Russia-Ukraine war will hurt SA’s investment ambitions: lessons from nine warsHaving put in motion structural economic reforms, SA has embarked on a marketing journey through investment conferences aiming to attract $100bn in direct investment from domestic and foreign private sector investors.
Read more »
Russia guilty of war crimes: Mass graves in Bucha; Kharkiv and Dergachi bombed'Those responsible for these egregious and appalling attacks will be brought to justice,' Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
Read more »
Ukraine accuses Russia of war crimes after bodies found bound, shotUkrainian authorities were investigating possible war crimes by Russia after finding hundreds of bodies, some bound and shot at close range, strewn around towns near Kyiv after Kremlin forces withdrew to refocus their attacks in other parts of the country.
Read more »
Ukraine accuses Russia of war crimes after bodies found bound, shotUkrainian authorities were investigating possible war crimes by Russia after finding hundreds of bodies, some bound and shot at close range, strewn around towns near Kyiv after Kremlin forces withdrew to refocus their attacks in other parts of the country.
Read more »