The Foreign Affairs Interview
Putin’s Cannon Fodder
Nov 2, 2023
Dara Massicot, an expert on the Russian military, discusses how Russia's treatment of its soldiers is affecting the war in Ukraine. The podcast covers topics such as Russia's perception of the conflict, their military objectives, potential missile launches, recruitment strategies, and understanding an adversary's military power.
34:56
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Quick takeaways
- The Russian military's culture struggles with issues of brutality, corruption, and hazing, which have resurfaced during the war in Ukraine, impacting their strategic failures.
- Russia's defense industrial base has ramped up production and received ammunition from North Korea, giving them an advantage in sustainment and precision strikes, but their reliance on shell companies and external suppliers indicates potential weaknesses.
Deep dives
Analysis of the Ukrainian counter-offensive
The Ukrainian counter-offensive, which has been ongoing for four months, has seen limited gains in the South in Zabirija. However, the Russian military's complex and active defenses have slowed their progress. The Ukrainians have also launched deep strikes on Russian sites behind the lines, causing damage. The Russians, on the other hand, have launched several localized offensives in Donetsk and Luhansk, making slow progress in encircling the town of Abdifka. However, they have suffered significant losses in terms of equipment and personnel, which raises questions about the strategic significance of their actions.
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