Russia’s slow military advance
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Russia has the firepower to reduce Ukraine to rubble, but its military strategy is backfiring. The loss of top-ranking officers, plus fuel, food and ammunition shortages, exposes strategic failings
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Low morale:
Young conscripts with minimum training did not know they were going to war

Tactics: Russian convoy stalled outside Kyiv is around 400km from main supply base inside Russia. Logistics require it to be no more than 150km from supply base

Command and control:
After destroying cell phone towers, Russia’s encrypted communications no longer function inside Ukraine

Decisions: Officer corps cannot make on-the-spot decisions – must ask top military leaders for permission in operational matters

Mud-season: Rain and melting snow make cross-country travel difficult for trucks and wheeled armoured fighting vehicles.
Using roads exposes vehicles to attack

Cyber: Russia’s cyberwarfare machine has failed to shut down internet. Ukraine’s
President Volodymyr Zelensky is using social media to keep morale high

Feb 28: Major General Andrei Sukhovetsky (left), deputy commander of 41st Army, killed by sniper

Mar 5: Reports that 3,000 Russian reservists have been mobilized to replace combat losses

Mar 7: Major General Vitaly Gerasimov (right), chief of staff of 41st Army, reported killed
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Source: Chatham House, IISS, Military Times Pictures: Ukraine intelligence dir. © GRAPHIC NEWS