Russia's chances of achieving strategic success in new offensive are low - Associate Professor Robert Person

Robert Person believes that Russia's chances of achieving strategic success, given the upcoming offensive that seems to have already begun, are very low.

“Mr. Putin and his military have very little respect for human life. I think they will throw waves of recruits and conscripts into the battle. They are poorly trained and equipped. They are the remnants of Wagner's forces and other mercenaries. This is not a very effective fighting force, and it certainly will not be able to make significant territorial gains or achieve Russian strategic goals. But, of course, offensive operations will be costly for both Russia and Ukraine if they fail to gain significant additional territory,” he noted. 

At the same time, the professor of international relations believes that the Ukrainian Armed Forces need more Western tanks for a successful counteroffensive.

“They (tanks - ed.) will certainly help Ukraine better defend itself against Russian offensives. And when the Russian offensive finally culminates there will be an opportunity to launch a counteroffensive. These tanks will be critical to lead the offensive. At the same time, we have to be realistic and understand that the number of tanks that are being publicly discussed are probably not enough to support a massive, significant Ukrainian counteroffensive. This is a case where they will help, but certainly more is always better.”