PUTIN: War Goals Come First, Peace Talks Second /Andrei Martyanov & Lt Col Daniel Davis

This segment centers around Russia's escalating air campaign in Ukraine and a critique of Western and especially U.S. strategic thinking. Key points include:

1. Russia's Air War Intensifying

Russia is launching hundreds of air assets nightly, including drones like the Geran (up to 600/day), cruise missiles (Kalibr, KH-101), hypersonic weapons (Kinzhal, Zircon), and glide bombs.

The intensity and frequency of Russian air attacks are increasing, and their goal is to degrade Ukraine's industrial and military infrastructure, not target civilians.

Russian strategy is based on calculated, escalating "pain" to NATO until Western actors accept Russia's terms.

2. Western Misperceptions and Propaganda

The guest, Andrei Martyanov, mocks Western claims about Ukraine's air defense success, calling them propaganda. For example, Ukraine’s assertion that it shoots down nearly all Russian missiles is labeled absurd.

U.S. intelligence and military leadership are portrayed as misinformed and delusional, taking these inflated Ukrainian claims seriously.

Martyanov sarcastically references previous claims like the mythical “Ghost of Kyiv” and mocks the idea that Ukraine can intercept high-tech Russian weaponry with limited resources.

3. Strategic Critique of the West

The speaker ridicules the idea that the West can “force” Russia to negotiate on terms favorable to Ukraine. In contrast, Putin has offered negotiations but only if a deal is reached before a ceasefire.

NATO militaries, especially the U.S., are said to lack understanding of modern or "continental" warfare, focusing instead on PR, ideology, and outdated models.

U.S. support (e.g., Patriot missiles) is dismissed as ineffective given the scale and sophistication of Russia's attacks.

4. Effectiveness and Precision of Russian Strikes

Russia is described as using high-precision, guided munitions aimed at military and industrial targets.

Though Ukraine suppresses information about damage, social media and leaked videos reportedly show major hits on factories and energy infrastructure.

Civilian casualties are claimed to be minimal and mostly accidental, in contrast to NATO’s historic conduct in conflicts like Yugoslavia or Iraq.

5. Broader Outlook

The host and guest express cynicism toward Western media and military narratives, viewing them as disconnected from the battlefield reality.

They argue that Ukraine is being propped up with false hopes and will eventually face collapse under sustained Russian pressure.

Conclusion:

The conversation paints a picture of a deeply lopsided conflict in the air, with Russia escalating its use of drones and precision weapons, while dismissing Ukraine’s defenses and Western assessments as delusional propaganda. The strategic tone is blunt, mocking, and highly critical of U.S. and NATO military leadership.

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