The Russian invasion of Ukraine 1 year almost
Invasion is ongoing with no sign of ending anytime soon. Taking over a country is no easy task, Ukraine is rather big, and you need a rather large force to do it. An original assault was spread across various fronts. Spreading the attacking forces thin across a huge front line. Normally attacking armies use strikes to weaken the defending forces. A limited number of strikes happened on the same day but nothing on the scale was needed. Modern militaries make heavy use of intel, air support, and cooperation between every single unit. Unprepared and expecting an easy victory Russian forces crossed the border.
Putin was told, it would be easy, Kyiv would fall in days. Therefore, the rest of Ukraine would fall within days and a puppet government could be installed. Deployed men, and equipment got stuck in a traffic jam outside of Kyiv. Heavily armoured units without infantry to provide protection, no fuel or ammo became an easy target. Sitting ducks as supply trucks and could not refuel or provide ammo. Defenders went for the soft underbelly of the advance, supply lines. The humiliation of the Air force and Navy. The air force was unable to gain control of the sky. Russia’s black sea fleet flagship was sunk by the country without any real navy power.
Ukraine’s resistance focused on defensive operations around Kyiv in the early days. Resourceful using whatever they could to repel the attackers. Lacking the manpower to overwhelm the attackers across various fronts. Instead, they have adapted and become flexible, attacking valuable targets like supply lines or command posts. Largely an artillery army, using dumb weapons on mass to overwhelm. Both the Air force and Navy acted as artillery unable to gain the upper hand. Artillery is very resource intense, a bunch of trucks are needed to supply missiles and that means you can’t send fuel or food somewhere else. Slowly the list of targets started to grow, command posts or ammo depots or fuel depots. For months now slowly grinding down the ability to resupply frontlines. Reinforcements happen which weaken and pull resources to someplace else. Starts to become impossible to hold, can’t resupply troops and not enough manpower to defend. Counteroffensive takes place and the retreat of Russian troops happens. Once a crack appears you apply pressure, leading to some bold and stunning attacks.
Unable to secure Kyiv, Russian troops regrouped and attacked in the east. Taking as much land as possible and calling it Russia. East and south-east creating a landbridge is all that remains of the Russian landgrab. The best soldiers are killed or wounded, and the best equipment is destroyed or can’t be repaired. Being unable to replace or produce a similar kit is going to be a big problem. At the same time, the quality of Ukraine’s gear has only improved. NATO standard kit is being provided. Russians have been destroying parts of Ukraine without any care. Completely destroying cities, attacking power plants and more. Forced relocation, stories about what has happened are horrific.
No sign that is conflict is going to end any time soon. The next phase is against a dug-in Russian army. The Russians have been throwing men at one small city. Unclear who goes on the offensive first, NATO heavy weapons have been requested.
Maybe I was wrong in calling for NATO troops, weapons appear to be having a major impact. Still wish NATO acted sooner in providing that support.