The Daily Inside Russia’s Military Catastrophe
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Jan 4, 2023 Michael Schwirtz, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, dives into the surprising failures of Russia's military in Ukraine. He highlights how initial overconfidence led to heavy casualties and the role of the Wagner Group in the chaos. Through poignant soldier interviews, the complex emotions of disillusionment and stubborn persistence to fight are revealed. Schwirtz also discusses the devastating consequences of mismanagement and training within the ranks, painting a grim picture of the ongoing conflict.
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Lack of Preparation
- Russian soldiers often didn't know the war plan until right before it began.
- One soldier learned he was invading Ukraine the day before, another only an hour before.
Overconfidence and Losses
- Early Russian overconfidence turned into heavy losses under fierce, nimble Ukrainian resistance.
- Many elite Russian troops were killed in the initial push.
Wagner Group's Role
- To replace lost troops, Russia turned to the Wagner Group, a private military force.
- The Wagner Group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, acts as a deniable arm of the Russian military.