, saying Russia didn’t need any more land. He claimed that his modernised armed forces had achieved parity with those of America. Earlier, after rehearsing a litany of false grievances, Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s defence minister, told his British equivalent that Russia had no intention of going outside its borders. But neither could explain the build-up of troops.
In practice, his new-look army, designed for a quick, defensive and simple war of necessity, turned to dust in a slow, offensive and complex war of choice. Blinded by chauvinism, he and the regime ignored the words of Alexander Suvorov, an 18th-century Russian general: “Never despise your enemy, do not consider him stupider and weaker than you.” Arrogance prevented General Gerasimov and his officers from anticipating either Ukrainian readiness to fight or the reaction of the West.
His failings have not gone unnoticed. All the field generals who led the invasion of Ukraine, including those once identified as General Gerasimov’s upcoming protégés, have been sacked, or moved on.
It is just as probable, however, that Mr Putin has kept General Gerasimov in place because of his obedience. He has pressed on with an ill-prepared offensive in recent weeks without having fixed the qualitative problems seen over the past year. Russia’s minister of war during Napoleon’s invasion in 1812 was described in a poem as a “servant to the Tsar, and a father to soldiers”.
exexpat19 If Putin's 'deNazification' means what the Nazi's did to Stalingrad or Warsaw, he did it in Ukraine. No mistake in that! Wonder where would the world conduct a Nuremberg trial again if the time comes to that?! mmm.... Hague or elsewhere?!
exexpat19 This is a disgrace: how shall we form clear opinions if “experts” and news outlets lie incessantly, even faced with facts in the obvious? NATO instigated this proxy conflict: Minsk Agreements were frauds. And those evangelising demonisation of Russia are invading elsewhere NOW!
exexpat19 That’s very Machiavellian! Too much so. IMO
exexpat19 FAKE...
exexpat19 That cant be. A lobotomy presupposes there has been a brain once.
exexpat19 Ben Kemal Geliyorum
After poisoning females schools in iran now it turns to subways in Tehran IRGCterrorists this is a genocide
Next stupid lie, please.
False, what it has demonstrated is what a big failure your propaganda is. Get informed on the NATO Russia conflict using Ukraine as a proxy; watch: Also please forget not to research the financing of the Maidancoup and VictoriaNuland
Put in bin !!!!!!
Corny propaganda