A New Year’s Strike on Russia
By Evan Robinson
On New Year’s Eve, Vladimir Putin gave a speech at a Russian military base in front of military members and their families, appearing to show sympathy toward the lives lost in Ukraine. Whether this speech was designed as propaganda to make Putin appear compassionate or was genuine, it proves that Moscow has admitted its losing troops at a rate higher than expected. Their unjust war, once thought to be over swiftly, is now taking the lives of young Russian soldiers. On January 1, Ukraine launched a deadly strike in eastern Ukraine, which was initially reported to have taken the lives of around “400 Russian soldiers.” Although this number is confirmed to now be 63, it has nonetheless been damaging tactically and morally for Russia. This strike highlights two critical developments at this phase in the war. First, Russia is not prevailing. Although it would be difficult to assess a so-called winner at this point, Russia’s goal of “liberating” Luhansk and Donetsk and de-nazifying Ukraine is not being achieved. Many Russian generals have become frustrated, articulating that they are being tactically out-matched. Secondly, Ukraine will not let up. This latest strike, carried out with a US-made HIMARS rocket, symbolizes the continued dedication of NATO allies to fund and supply Ukraine with the weapons necessary to remain resistant to the Russian invasion. Ultimately, retaliation is expected in the coming days and is likely to be severe. Regardless there remains one clear aggressor. Russia, as Zelensky has articulated, could end the war tomorrow. Ukraine remains committed to strictly keeping its sovereign territory and nothing else. It is, therefore, important we continue to look at every attack of the war through this context. The blood of Russian soldiers is not on Ukraine’s hand but on Putin’s.
The latest strike, which hit a group of Russian soldiers stationed at Makiivka in Eastern Ukraine, is one of the deadliest Ukrainian strikes on Russia to date. It also seems to have been primarily due to Russia’s incompetence, described as a “debacle” rather than an “attack” in the New York Times. As written in the same New York Times article, “Pro-war Russian bloggers and some government officials said the debacle was caused by the military’s own repeated and costly mistakes, like garrisoning troops in a dense concentration within a range of Ukrainian artillery, placing them in the same building as an ammunition depot, and allowing them to use cellphones, whose signals the Ukrainians can use to zero in on their target.” Deadly Strike on Russians in Ukraine Exposes Moscow’s Military Failings – The New York Times The repeated rhetoric from former high-ranking Russians that it is not “Ukrainian talent” but Russian mistakes that have led to this deadly attack is fascinating. Even more so since individuals such as one Russian military blogger, seen as a close ally of Vladimir Putin, have called the recent events worthy of a tribunal of senior Russian military leadership Makiivka strike: what we know about the deadliest attack on Russian troops since Ukraine war began. Such developments may indicate the Russian military complex is becoming fed-up with the decision-making of the war. Russia undertook this attack on Ukraine ten months ago and was undoubtedly unprepared for a long-fought battle, resulting in mass casualties that they likely did not expect. Such occurrences lead to many questions. Do Russia’s generals share Putin’s desire for warfare? The mishaps have not been clearly fixed, as reports of such incidents have been constant since the invasion in February. Further, there are reports civilians are beginning to become enraged, as Russia’s recent conscription policy has not gone as planned, with many conscripts reportedly being unprepared and unequipped. Makiivka strike: what we know about the deadliest attack on Russian troops since Ukraine war began.
It is increasingly difficult to see how Russia, with all their faults, most of its own doing, can remain united and committed to a victory in Ukraine. On the other hand, Ukraine is united and prepared to do whatever it takes to protect its territory. As this latest strike demonstrates, the weapons Ukraine has acquired from allies such as the United States deliver the weaponry needed to continue putting pressure on the Russians to end the war. Although it is unclear what it will take for Putin to back down, it is increasingly apparent, as his New Year’s Eve speech shows, that the battle in front of him is different than he expected.