Urban Warfare Project
Training Ukrainians in Urban Warfare
Sep 1, 2023
In this discussion, Erik Kramer, a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel and co-founder of the Ukraine Defense Support Group, shares his experience training Ukrainian forces in urban warfare. He elaborates on the evolution of Ukraine's military from a Soviet model to a modernized structure. Kramer highlights the unique challenges of urban combat and the importance of adapting training methods to real-world scenarios. He also addresses misconceptions about military tactics and the vital role of hands-on training for Ukrainian soldiers amid ongoing conflict.
40:46
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Quick takeaways
- Ukrainian Armed Forces are undergoing significant transformation through adaptive training methods responding to the unique challenges of urban warfare.
- The integration of diverse training programs across military branches is hindered by bureaucratic barriers, limiting operational effectiveness and cooperation.
Deep dives
Eric Kramer's Military Background and Experience
Eric Kramer has a rich military background, having served in the U.S. Army for 26 years as both an enlisted soldier and an officer, specializing in Special Forces. His career included extensive work in Europe and combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan, alongside counter-WMD efforts. Kramer's understanding of Russian tactics was shaped by his early exposure to the conflict in the Balkans and later studies on Russian warfare, leading to the creation of the Russian New Generation Warfare Handbook. This extensive experience positions him well to train Ukrainian forces, a role he began in July 2022 as part of the Ukraine Defense Support Group.
