BRYAN SUITS
Suits: 3 reasons why Russia’s last incursion into Ukraine has failed
Sep 11, 2022, 2:20 AM | Updated: Sep 12, 2022, 1:29 pm
Ukrainian Territorial Defense soldiers prepare to go out from their frontline encampment on May 22, 2022 near Ruska Lozova, Ukraine. Russian forces had occupied Ruska Lozova for two months before being pushed back by Ukrainian troops three weeks ago. (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Tonight, on Fox Business Channel’s Kennedy at 4 p.m. PST, I’ll discuss the main reasons for Russia’s failure and Ukraine’s success over the weekend.
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Poorly disciplined troops
Failure to address systemic issues with Russia’s conscript-heavy force has led to a poorly disciplined and trained horde of occupiers unclear about their mission. The result is a headlong retreat in the face of Ukraine’s largest counterattack in the northeast.
Bad equipment quality
Quality and quantity are lacking after decades of rebuilding and acquisition. Corruption in Putin’s defense industry has resulted in poorly designed key systems such as tanks that fail catastrophically when confronting modern anti-tank weapons. The only part of Russia’s ground force that has worked as advertised is the legendary masses of artillery that have remained their most effective weapon. The result is tactics and doctrine that are based on equipment working and being serviceable.
Russian lieutenants are dying at an unsustainable rate
Russia’s inability to attract, train, and retain the crucial Non-Commissioned Officer ranks has left its junior officers with the impossible task of direct leadership in the field. This war, like all wars, is a “Corporal’s War.” Young enlisted leaders need to handle smaller groups of soldiers so a young lieutenant can focus on his platoon’s mission in service of his company commander. Instead, Russian lieutenants are dying at an unsustainable rate because they can’t keep their new troops focused or accountable. It doesn’t get better in the higher ranks. Truth does not go up the Russian chain of command. This is true right up to Putin’s notorious hatred of bad news. The result is suppressing the truth only reinforces Russia’s fatal failures.
Listen to the Bryan Suits Show weekday mornings from 6–9 a.m. on KTTH 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here.
