As the war in Ukraine drags into its fifth year, one ugly truth stands out: Russia will not stop unless it is forced to stop. Exercise Lively Sentry 25 that focuses on fighting the Russian army in a high intensity war (credit: FDF) The Kremlin’s propaganda machine, from Pravda to milbloggers, continues to paint a picture of strength, but the reality on the ground tells a different story. Russia is bleeding resources, manpower, and legitimacy. Yet, despite this, Western voices still whisper about “peace deals” and “compromise.” That is not diplomacy; it is appeasement. Despite the Russian propaganda claiming otherwise, Ukrainian troops are still fighting hard in Pokrovsk. Russia is capable of expanding its armed forces despite the losses, but in the short term the quality of the troops is appalling. This is an advantage for the west, but it will turn into a liability if not capitalized quickly enough. Sanctions: From Symbolism to Systemic Pressure Sanctions do work, but only ...
News and analysis from security and warfare related topics with the focus mostly on Russia and Scandinavia. Occasional de-tours to the current hot spots around the world can be expected. -Petri Mäkelä