11. Inequality kills: on Russian combat ineff ectiveness in Ukraine and beyond
- Author:
- Pilster Ulrich and Olesya Vinhas de Souza
- Publication Date:
- 10-2024
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- NATO Defense College
- Abstract:
- What would Russia’s military strategy be in a war with NATO? Before 2022, many analysts worried about the scenario in which Russia, leveraging a tactically profi cient and well-coordinated combined arms force, could swiftly overrun the Baltics in a matter of days. Drawing on a statistical analysis of historical battles and an examination of Russian force structure and equipment losses in Ukraine, we challenge this view. Endemic inequality within the Russian Armed Forces will continue to impede their adoption of the sophisticated tactics necessary for manoeuvre warfare. Therefore, we anticipate that a future potential Russian attack would resemble a war of attrition. Unable to quickly out-manoeuvre NATO forces, Moscow would aim to deploy overwhelming fi repower and manpower against Allied troops and civilian populations, with an aim to infl ict widespread and sustained destruction.
- Topic:
- NATO, Military Strategy, Inequality, and Russia-Ukraine War
- Political Geography:
- Russia, Europe, and Ukraine