Russian army fails to achieve any of Putin's objectives

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the FSB, and all other Russian security agencies are currently unable, given the present situation and Ukraine’s support from its partners, to accomplish Putin’s military-political objectives.

The war on the battlefield has reached a deadlock.

"Over the past three years, Russia’s security forces have managed to achieve only one significant utilitarian goal of Putin’s — capturing the land crossing into Crimea. However, they have been unable to ensure effective control and security of the area, which remains under constant attacks by Ukraine’s Defense Forces."

All other Russian objectives have failed.

Neither the strategic goal of changing Ukraine’s leadership in 2022, nor operational goals of reaching the administrative borders of Donetsk or even Luhansk regions, nor creating a buffer zone in Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions, nor the complete destruction of critical infrastructure and Ukraine’s defense industry — none of these have been achieved, and the list could go on indefinitely.

No real operational or strategic objectives have been achieved, except for the 2014 capture of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk, the land corridor to Crimea, which remains under fire control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and the destruction of cities along the contact line over many years. That’s all.

Tactical “successes,” which are often presented as operational achievements, result from colossal efforts, invested resources, and incredible losses not even seen in the Soviet Union. Stalin would turn in his grave.

Losses exceed 1.07 million killed and wounded, more than in Afghanistan, Chechnya, or Georgia… all for nothing.

"The Russian Federation is incapable not only of capturing and effectively absorbing all of Ukraine, but also of establishing control over occupied territories, or even its own, as demonstrated by the Kursk operation."

The task of Ukraine and its people is to survive and defend the State.

If there are peace agreements, a ceasefire, or a peacekeeping contingent, fine, though I do not believe it will happen.

But we must not think about anything else, only about how to live as if the world consisted of nothing but Ukraine and Russia, an eternal enemy that has no place on this Earth and seeks pauses in the war only to deceive, bribe, lull, regroup, correct mistakes, and attack again. And the reason is not Putin alone, but the entire Russian Empire.

The future guarantee of Ukraine’s security must not be the mythical NATO Article 5, but our own defense industry, universal military service like in Israel, and strong diplomacy as the foundation for support from our partners.

We must become the most armed, most mobilized, and most self-reliant democracy in the world, regardless of the opinions or interests of others.

These are simple truths that even a five-year-old Ukrainian, no matter where born, should understand.

And every Ukrainian in the world must know that, regardless of birthplace, primary language, or citizenship acquired voluntarily or by force, they have the right to obtain Ukrainian citizenship, which awaits them if they are ready to learn the language, serve in the army reserves, and defend their homeland.

These are the simple things that save lives.

Source

About the author. Myroslav Hai, actor, volunteer, Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier, and head of the charitable organization Peace & Co. Fund.

The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by blog or column authors.