Ancient Tactics in the Ukraine-Russia War

The strategy that Ukraine has employed since the beginning of the war is referred to by some military experts as “denial warfare.” This means employing tactics that can slow down, wear out, and exhaust the invading forces, even if the army lacks counterattack capability. However, this strategy does not stop the advancement or defeat the enemy.

Although the West promised support at the beginning of the war, as it dragged on, they hesitated both due to public opinion at home and fear of Russia abroad. This hesitant support prolonged the war and weakened Ukraine.

Initially, Ukraine preferred to send soldiers over the age of 27 to the front lines to protect the younger population. In the early stages of the war, there were even soldiers close to 50 years old fighting on the front lines. Due to persistent Russian offensives and Western indecision, Ukraine eventually realized it had to deploy whatever it had available to the front.

At the beginning of the war, Russia was, so to speak, disgraced. Its navy was crippled with dozens of ships being hit. Thousands of soldiers and even generals were lost on the battlefield. Abandoned vehicles, logistical and supply line issues, outdated weapons, and the inertia and sluggishness inherited from the Soviet army were exposed.

Recent analyses suggest that, thanks to its autocratic regime, Russia quickly transitioned to a wartime economy. The number of tanks and artillery it produced surpassed the total ammunition production of…