Putin Lacks Troops to Defeat Ukraine and Protect Russia – Atlantic Council

Putin lacks troops to defeat Ukraine and defend Russia, – Atlantic Council Polina Buyanova

The operation in Kursk region showed the problems of the Russian army/Collage 24 Channel

The operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region showed that the overloaded Russian troops are much more vulnerable than it seems. At the same time, this does not mean that the Russian army is on the verge of collapse.

The unprecedented operation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces on Russian territory has exposed the limitations of the Kremlin's military machine, according to an article by analyst Peter Dickinson for the Atlantic Council.

The Kursk operation has exposed the problems of the Russian army

According to the author, many continue to view the Russian army as an unstoppable force with virtually unlimited supplies of men and equipment. However, it is now becoming increasingly clear that Putin's attempt to conquer Ukraine has in fact left his army unable to defend Russia.

Volodymyr Zelensky initially hoped that Ukraine would be able to force Putin to redeploy troops through the Kursk operation. However, this has not happened yet. However, the Russian army continues to gradually advance in eastern Ukraine

At the same time, the fact that Putin had to choose between invading Ukraine and defending Russia is in itself indicative.

Of course, this does not mean that the Russian army is on the verge of collapse. On the contrary, Putin recently announced ambitious plans to further increase the size of his army to one and a half million soldiers, which will make it the second largest in the world after China. He could also announce a new wave of mobilization, but this could potentially spark domestic unrest and convince thousands of young Russians to flee the country, the article says.

Without sufficient reserves, the Kremlin is counting on the Ukrainian troops themselves leaving the Kursk region due to Kyiv's lack of the necessary forces and under the influence of the situation on the eastern front.