I don't get the Russian strategy (or lack thereof). [View all]

[WarGamer]

Background.

For people who study these things, it's common to look at all sides of conflict. For example, how does Rommel win at El Alamein? How does Germany win at Stalingrad? How do you beat Napoleon at Austerlitz?

These events are looked at with the eyes of an analyst, not a partisan or an interested party.





So... Ukraine.

I think we can all see the initial phase of the war. Putin and the Armed Forces thought the Ukrainians would fold quickly and they'd be able to install a new Leader ASAP.

Russia flailed about for months but without a clear strategy. They never sought to achieve air superiority but continued to feed helicopter and ground attack craft to the MANPADS.

They never concentrated their forces. They never made a concerted drive on Kyiv.

Blunder after blunder.

But at SOME POINT.

At some point, SOME Russian leader had to observe the situation and put together some kind of strategy.

I don't think it can all be blamed on "they suck".

There are things they COULD do but have NOT. And I've been racking my brain trying to figure it out.

WHY haven't the Russians

1) Turned the lights off in Kyiv and every major city East of Lviv? Easy to do. Can be accomplished with cruise missiles or other standoff weapons.

2) Turned off the heat?

3) Destroyed ALL rail and highway infrastructure?

4) Hit command and control targets in Kyiv? Daily.

5) Starve Ukraine by cutting off supply routes from the Western border


These are ALL asymmetrical tactical options. That means 1000 Russians can affect 100,000 Ukrainians.

I've been studying war since I was maybe 8-9 years old when my mother would take me to the Library and I'd leave with a foot tall stack of war books.

And I've NEVER seen a more lopsided affair.

It's NOT just the "Orcs suck and UKR troops are Godz" stuff... there's more to it.

The decision making has been beyond terrible. It's been unbelievable.