Russia’s 500,000 Troop Losses & the Folly of the Kharkiv Invasion
For weeks and months now, it’s been evident from satellite imagery that Putin and the Russian army are planning to attack Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, and thus redirect much of their attention from Chasiv Yar and the long frontline in the east.
There are various explanations for this. Some claim that Russia is planning to divert Ukrainian defenses from key strategic outposts such as Chasiv Yar which is crucial to the control of Donbas, according to analysts. Others say that perhaps Putin is still under the illusion that he could actually control all of Ukraine and that Kharkiv is a precursor for the control of Kyiv.
Whatever the reason might be, the plan is folly. Russia has lost more than 477,000 troops, according to the estimates from the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. On any given day, Russia loses up to 1,000 troops.
The advantage Russia has is that it is willing to sacrifice troops at this magnitude, especially at a time when Ukraine is positioning military aid from the US and parts of the EU to the frontline. Moreover, Ukraine is still struggling with its mobilization issues.
Let me explain.
First, I want to address the Ukrainian — and international — disappointment with the Biden’s administration slow…
