Ukrainian Armed Forces' needs on the battlefield, remnants of Russian missiles: Serhii Zgurets' column

The number of missiles in Russia

Defense Minister Reznikov answered one of the most relevant questions of recent times - how many missiles does the aggressor state have? In general, according to the estimates of the Ministry of Defense, before the invasion, the Russian Armed Forces had 900 Iskander missiles, 500 Kalibr missiles, and 444 Kh-101 and Kh-555 aviation cruise missiles.

Of these, 86% of ballistic missiles, 46% of sea-based cruise missiles and 52% of air-based missiles were used. So, on October 12, the balance was 124 missiles for the Iskander OTRK, 272 Kalibr cruise missiles and 213 Kh-101 and Kh-555 air missiles. According to military estimates, this is less than the inviolable reserves of the Russian army. The new production of rockets to recover these costs for the Russian enemy is extremely complicated due to the lack of components. As long as the Russian forces have even one rocket left, it is dangerous. The same increase in the number of anti-aircraft missile systems increases the ability of air defense to shoot down missiles. Following the new IRIS-T air defense system this month, we will finally get the NASAMS air defense system. Military training has already begun and soon this complex will be part of Ukraine's Armed Forces. This is really good news.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' main advantages over the enemy on the battlefield

As military analyst and Special Operations Forces soldier Viacheslav Tseluiko told me, first of all, this is the colossal experience gained by the military during a full-scale invasion. From rank and file to generals. The way they adapted to new realities is a serious competitive advantage of the Ukrainian army over the Russian one. Secondly, it is technical equipment. Until February 24, the Ukrainian army was the heir of the Soviet one, but now the Ukrainian military learned to use Western weapons effectively. According to Tseluiko, the very flexible approach of Ukrainians to the realities of war forces them to use the potential of weapons in a way that was not foreseen.

Third, morale and motivation. This is also a significant factor, because a Ukrainian military man defends the Motherland, and a Russian military man, especially a mobilized one, who accidentally got into the war, is in a shocking situation for him. He does not understand why he is here, and he is afraid of dying for what.  From the point of view of morale, said Tseluiko, Ukraine's Armed Forces are a head higher than the Russian army.

From the point of view of intelligence, if the Russian forces mainly rely on aerial reconnaissance, drones, the Ukrainian army has the ability to receive information from satellites, actively uses aerial reconnaissance, and has an extensive system of intelligence. From the point of view of communication - first of all, we can talk about Starlink. Their use gave the Ukrainian Armed Forces advantages from the point of view of combat management. Tseluiko says that the control of combat operations takes place online, and the Russian forces do not have this. The higher level of the Ukrainian military command, which receives information, effectively processes it and makes balanced decisions, also has an impact. They lead to the fact that Ukraine's Armed Forces have already seized the initiative at the front.  Now the smaller Ukrainian army is crushing the Russian one battalion by battalion.

There were some problems with Starlink communication - it is weather dependent. It is still possible to use electronic devices. Plus a possible story about which the media writes that Elon Musk limited their opportunities. During a certain period of time, Starlink is unavailable and less protected means must be used - radio and mobile communication. In principle, these problems are not of a systemic nature. They are of no fundamental importance.

Interaction with artillery for counter-battery combat

First, this is intelligence for the longest possible period of time. If we talk about daytime optics, then from the beginning of the day until dusk.  If there are means with thermal imaging optics, then reconnaissance is also conducted at night. Secondly, it is communication - information from online intelligence tools reaches the headquarters and the gunners.  The third point is direct communication between air scouts and adjusters with specific fire means. Little time passes from detection to defeating the target. This gives Ukrainian artillery a huge advantage over Russian artillery. A plus is the use of high-precision projectiles, and we see Excalibur projectiles in the new aid package from the United States, which allow artillery to hit a target with 1-2 shots, and not spend a certain amount of ordinary projectiles, and not even hit.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' needs on the battlefield

First, it is transport. This problem is still not solved. The bulk of the Ukrainian Armed Forces - motorized infantry units - use civilian vehicles. Very often they are not four-wheel drive. Civilian cars are not intended for war.  Also, they are not always in good condition. This problem must be solved, and if the Ukrainian infantry had the appropriate transport - army jeeps and pickup trucks, then its mobility would be much greater. Perhaps, the Russian forces received deeper breakthroughs from the Ukrainian Armed Forces and did not have time to occupy new defensive lines.

Secondly, this is really air defense. We see that the Russian forces are trying to hit objects in the rear - strategic objects and infrastructure with cruise missiles or kamikaze drones. We really need air defense systems. Let them not be too modern, but there should be enough of them to cover the most important infrastructure facilities, industrial centers, and demographic centers. Anti-aircraft missile complexes and anti-aircraft artillery with radar guidance would be very appropriate. The effectiveness of Russian strikes with cruise missiles is not strong enough, and if Ukraine received a certain amount of air defense equipment, we could shoot down maybe 9 out of 10 missiles, and the Russian forces would very quickly use up their remaining weapons.

Mobilized Russian soldiers

Our comrades with the 92nd Brigade have already met with the mobilized Russian soldiers. Some of them surrendered as prisoners of war. The Russian Federation, in the best traditions of the USSR of the Second World War, throws people to the front without preparation. They are demotivated, poorly armed, and uneducated. This is such cannon fodder. The Russian leadership is trying to use this biomass to stop the Ukrainian Armed Forces.