Russian tank wrecked in a Ukrainian attack on its way to Mariupol (March 17, courtesy of Azov Battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine / REX / Afro)
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(British Economist magazine April 30, 2022 issue)
Vladimir Putin is using combat to make up for Russia’s weaknesses. That is why this person is dangerous.
The power of modern Russian troops should have shown to the world that President Vladimir Putin has revived the country into a great existence following the humiliation of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
However, Ukraine did not make the desired progress and suffered a great deal of damage, rather revealing serious flaws within Russia.
For those who are frightened by Mr Putin’s attack, the weakened army is a relief. Unfortunately, it also leaves behind a nuclear-armed power that thinks it must prove its true value.
So far, the invasion of Ukraine has had disastrous consequences for Russian troops.
According to the British government, regarding 15,000 Russian soldiers have died in the last two months.
At least 1600 armed vehicles have been destroyed, and dozens of aircraft and the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet have been lost. The attack on the capital, Kyiv, has also been a disastrous failure.
Leon (Lef) Trotsky wrote, “The army is a copy of society, suffering from all kinds of social illnesses and usually producing a higher fever than society.”
The fighting in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine not only determines the outcome of this war, but also restores the Russian army’s reputation-and the reputation of the Russian society that the army embodies. You will also decide if you can do it.
Army corruption exposed in Ukraine
A featured article in this week’s issue of Economists shows how corrupt the Russian army is.
Russia’s defense budget is over $ 250 billion on a purchasing power parity basis, regarding three times that of Britain and France, but most of it is wasted or stolen.
The failure of Mr Putin and the military commanders to inform senior officers of the invasion plan reflects a serious lack of trust.