Revolution in Military Affairs Michael Kofman on Attrition, Doodling Range Rings, and Magical Thinking in Modern War
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Apr 1, 2024 
In this enlightening conversation, Michael Kofman, an expert on military thought and the Russia-Ukraine War, delves into the concept of attrition as a key strategy for Ukraine's prolonged conflict. He discusses the critical role of manpower replacement and Western support in shaping military resilience. Kofman critiques Russia's outdated equipment and high operational costs, while emphasizing the importance of effective defensive strategies and adapting to innovations like drone warfare. His insights reveal the complexities of modern military dynamics and the need for endurance over traditional decisive battles.
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War as Marathon
- Large-scale conventional wars become marathons, focusing on attrition and reconstitution.
- Manpower, material, and ammunition become key, alongside industrial capacity.
Attrition as a Strategy
- Attrition is a viable theory of victory for Ukraine because other approaches have failed.
- Focus on a destruction-centered approach, prioritizing firepower and defense.
Not Soviet Armies
- Kofman disagrees with the idea that a small Soviet army cannot defeat a large one.
- He argues that neither Ukraine nor Russia fight like true Soviet armies; Ukraine relies significantly on Western support.