Defense & Aerospace Report DEFAERO Daily Pod [Jan 6, 25] Bendett and Rumer on the Latest Russia-Ukraine and Global Headlines
Jan 6, 2026
Eugene Rumer, a leading expert on Russia's strategies from the Carnegie Endowment, teams up with Sam Bendett, who dives deep into Russian military tech. They explore the escalating challenges of the Ukraine war, highlighting mutual exhaustion on the front lines and the uncertain landscape of peace talks. Bendett discusses the innovative use of AI and drones, while Rumer contrasts the political pressures faced by Putin and Zelensky. They also touch on the implications of U.S. actions abroad and the need for lessons learned as technological surprises loom on the horizon.
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Exhaustion Without Breakthrough
- Both Russian and Ukrainian forces are exhausted but the frontline remains a seesaw with only incremental territorial changes.
- UAVs and other technologies have transformed operations, complicating logistics and rotating but not delivering decisive breakthroughs.
Destruction As A Strategy
- Vladimir Putin can continue inflicting civilian and infrastructure damage even without major battlefield gains.
- He shows no readiness for a ceasefire short of demands that amount to Ukrainian surrender.
Security Guarantees Stall Politically
- Negotiations have advanced between Ukraine and its partners but remaining disputes are large and politically fraught.
- Europe lacks appetite to provide large ground security guarantees without U.S. involvement.