Russia's army is catastrophically short of equipment, so it uses it only in some sections of front

Introduction

According to Alexander Kovalenko, a military political observer for the Ukrainian group Information Resistance, Russia is currently facing a dire shortage of military equipment, significantly hampering its operations on the battlefield. He reported on the YouTube channel Garit Veiki Laiv that the Russian military has not introduced new equipment in the K region for nearly a month. The situation only shifted recently when Russian forces attempted a counter-offensive in that direction, prompting them to utilize some mechanized units.

However, Kovalenko noted an interesting dynamic arising from this action: as the Russians began deploying equipment, they simultaneously reduced the number of first-person view (FPV) drones and command-and-control units, as the front line was unclear, leaving them unaware of the positions of their troops relative to Ukrainian forces. This situation has been compounded by numerous reports indicating that Russia is losing a considerable amount of its military hardware and cannot replenish these losses at a sustainable rate.

The expert emphasized that Russian military resources are in decline and that allies such as North Korea and Iran are unlikely to help restore their military capabilities. He suggests that Russia may require a ceasefire, peace talks, and a reduction in military intensity, fearing that any decrease in firepower would allow Ukraine to initiate its counter-offensive.

As the conflict advances into its third year, Kovalenko identified three main dynamics shaping the battlefield. First, while Russia is fully mobilized—you could say politically, industrially, and militarily—this mobilization is driving resource depletion. The Kremlin struggles to replenish its stocks of outdated Cold War-era weaponry, revealing a paradox where Russia appears strong but remains fragile. Second, while Ukraine is also mobilizing, it still heavily depends on foreign aid to meet urgent military needs, especially as some factions within the U.S. House of Representatives withhold critical funding. Third, Ukrainian military tactics have proven superior to Russian tactics, enabling Ukrainian forces to effectively counter larger Russian formations.

Nonetheless, the article notes that tactics become less effective when Ukrainian forces face a depletion of ammunition. Reports indicate that Ukraine has begun to take the initiative, exacerbating Russia's ongoing challenges. Maxim Kalashnikov, a Russian war correspondent known for his imperialist views, recently acknowledged this situation in his blog. He commented on the acute shortage of manpower within Russian forces, which has worsened through recent offensives. According to Kalashnikov, mobilization now appears unavoidable, as he expressed concerns about the current strategic initiative tipping in favor of Ukraine.

Reports from Ukrainian defense forces indicate that Russia has started deploying inexperienced soldiers to support their assaults in Harkiv. The fourth volunteer reconnaissance and assault brigade, named after Alexander Nki, has recently suffered heavy casualties. Reinforcement from the 128th separate motorized rifle brigade and other units is underway, although they have reportedly received inadequate training. There is uncertainty regarding whether this newly mobilized personnel includes former prisoners or individuals from other countries.

Keywords

• Russia
• Military Equipment Shortage
• Ukrainian Armed Forces
• Counter-offensive
• Mobilization
• Tactical Superiority
• Manpower Challenges
• Foreign Aid

FAQ

Q: How has Russia's military equipment situation affected its operations?
A: Russia's army is experiencing a catastrophic shortage of equipment, leading them to only deploy resources selectively and resulting in significant operational challenges.

Q: What are the current dynamics influencing the battlefield situation?
A: The battlefield dynamics include Russia's full mobilization, dependence on foreign aid for Ukraine, and superior Ukrainian tactics compared to Russian tactics.

Q: Why are Russian forces deploying inexperienced soldiers?
A: The deployment of inexperienced soldiers stems from an acute shortage of manpower following heavy losses in recent offensives.

Q: What do experts predict about Russia's future military actions?
A: Experts suggest that Russia may need a ceasefire and peace talks to avoid further losses, as they struggle to sustain military operations.