However, despite their potential, it seems that Russia’s performance in the Ukraine conflict has been disappointing. I’ve seen two main theories on what went wrong. According to the Western view, Russia planned the war with a small group of people, but the plans were leaked, giving Ukraine and the West an edge. On the other hand, the Russian side claims that their troops were amassed for a military exercise near the border and were caught off guard by Ukraine’s surprise attack.

Whatever the reason, Russia’s initial push into Ukraine was met with significant resistance and eventually forced them to retreat. One of the main problems was the lack of preparedness and coordination, which led to huge losses in equipment and manpower. This was exacerbated by Russia’s initial failure to secure their flanks, which left them vulnerable to counterattacks.

In response, Russia has had to regroup and reorganize, focusing on a smaller area in eastern Ukraine. They’ve made some gains, but it’s clear that their military is severely degraded. One of the biggest game-changers has been the rise of drones, which have given Ukraine access to real-time intelligence and the ability to spot and attack Russian forces. This has made it much harder for Russia to maintain momentum.

As I see it, the biggest issues facing Russia are their lack of manpower, equipment, and air power. They’ve also had to deal with corruption and a rigid command structure that limits tactical flexibility. Ultimately, it seems that Russia’s military is struggling to adapt to the new realities of modern warfare, where drones and other technologies have upended traditional commands.