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Stalled convoys, reports of fuel shortages, photos of armored vehicles stuck in mud — it’s been nearly three weeks since Russian forces invaded Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initial war strategy appears to have failed.

Despite significant manpower and equipment advantages, Putin’s army has not overrun a much smaller Ukrainian defense force. The capital of Kyiv remains in Ukraine’s control, as does the strategic port city of Odesa, in the southwest part of the country.

At times, Russian forces have appeared overstretched and inept. Pentagon officials have reported that Putin’s army is struggling to feed its troops and fuel its vehicles. Morale is low.

So why was the Russian army so unprepared?

“They made the two biggest mistakes you can make in warfare — they underestimated their opponent and they overestimated their own abilities,” said Dan Emmett, a military expert and former U.S. Marine.

Emmett said the resolve of the Ukrainians, coupled with the Russians’ lack of fighting experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain, has made it especially difficult for the invaders.

Experts believe Putin expected to capture the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in a matter of days. If he had done so, the Russian president could have ousted Zelenskyy and installed his own pro-Russia government. But that didn’t happen. Instead, Russian troops met stiff Ukrainian resistance and Putin’s soldiers, who were supplied for a short campaign, suddenly found themselves underprepared.

“Putin’s military plan to quickly capture Ukraine, it is clear now, has failed,” Ned Price, State Department spokesman, told reporters on Thursday.

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The Russian army’s missteps have played out in videos circulated on social media around the world — armored vehicles bogged down in mud and entire tank convoys ambushed by Ukrainian troops.

For days, satellite images showed a massive Russian military convey stretching 40 miles long sitting stalled outside Kyiv. Once considered among the most powerful fighting forces in the world, the Russian army now appears vulnerable.

That perceived weakness on a global stage has some worried that Putin will escalate the conflict to overcompensate for his army’s lack of progress.

“It looks to me like they’re probably going to hit the cities much, much harder and then only go in with troops after they have destroyed much of the cities,” retired Army Lt. Col. Daniel Davis told NewsNation. “I do fear it could get a lot worse.”

Davis said Russia does not have enough troops to attack each major city one-by-one. Instead, he expects Putin’s forces to use missiles to bombard population centers, given their significant combat power.

Other sectors of Russia’s military have also underperformed. Once thought to be a sure thing, the Russian air force has not established air superiority over Ukraine. That means air support for ground forces has been limited, another contributing factor to the slowed advance.

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Putin is only struggling on social media, and you're being fed lies by the Western mainstream media.

Moreover Russia is using kid gloves on Ukraine due to many shared history, if not, current Libya for be like city compared to Ukraine

ukrainian resistance
Above all, experts think Putin greatly underestimated the strength of his opponent. Led by a determined president, Ukrainians of all ages have rallied together to defend their country.

“When you push somebody into a corner and take their home, try and take their cities, they’re going to fight,” said Emmett.

In addition to miscalculating the Ukrainians’ resolve, Emmett thinks Putin overestimated the capabilities of his own troops, many of whom were not battle tested.

“Quite frankly, the Russian army is not that good. It’s made up primarily of conscripts. Some of them don’t even speak Russian. A lot of them don’t even know why they’re in (Ukraine),” he said.

Despite their slow start, Russian forces have advanced in recent days, gaining ground in the push toward Kyiv. But even if Putin’s army reorganizes and defeats Ukraine with more brutal war tactics, Emmett said the resistance inside Ukraine would likely continue, possibly until the invaders leave.

“You’re going to get into phase two, you’re going to get guerrilla warfare, insurgency warfare,” said Emmett.

https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/russia-at-war/why-has-putins-army-struggled-against-ukraine/amp/

Cousin9999:
The Russian army’s missteps have played out in videos circulated on social media around the world — armored vehicles bogged down in mud and entire tank convoys ambushed by Ukrainian troops.

For days, satellite images showed a massive Russian military convey stretching 40 miles long sitting stalled outside Kyiv. Once considered among the most powerful fighting forces in the world, the Russian army now appears vulnerable.

That perceived weakness on a global stage has some worried that Putin will escalate the conflict to overcompensate for his army’s lack of progress.

“It looks to me like they’re probably going to hit the cities much, much harder and then only go in with troops after they have destroyed much of the cities,” retired Army Lt. Col. Daniel Davis told NewsNation. “I do fear it could get a lot worse.”

Davis said Russia does not have enough troops to attack each major city one-by-one. Instead, he expects Putin’s forces to use missiles to bombard population centers, given their significant combat power.

Other sectors of Russia’s military have also underperformed. Once thought to be a sure thing, the Russian air force has not established air superiority over Ukraine. That means air support for ground forces has been limited, another contributing factor to the slowed advance.

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None of the US generals that have commented on the conflict mentioned that the Russian military is weak. Including experts. When the US left Afghanistan, people were disappointed. But that does not mean the US military is weak.

The Generals, the experts, and most of the analyst know the true capability of the Russian military.

Vicotex2:
Putin is only struggling on social media, and you're being fed lies by the Western mainstream media.

Moreover Russia is using kid gloves on Ukraine due to many shared history, if not, current Libya for be like city compared to Ukraine

He is struggling on social media yet as of last week you lots predicted how Kyiv will fall last Sunday yet the Russian boys scouts are far away from Kyiv..... Your father Putin is confused that he no longer target human alone but his anger is against kids and infrastructures. The Ukraine �� army are now using their arms against them most of them abandoned their position and surrendered to ��..Have you ever heard of kids gloves in war? Only you Nigerians manufactured such words to suits your narratives.

olugabbie:
None of the US generals that have commented on the conflict mentioned that the Russian military is weak. Including experts. When the US left Afghanistan, people were disappointed. But that does not mean the US military is weak.

The Generals, the experts, and most of the analyst know the true capability of the Russian military.

How many America's generals died in Afghanistan in their 20yrs of occupation..?...... Within few weeks four Russia's generals have gone..... this speak a lot about the superiority of the Russia's army.

Cousin9999:
ukrainian resistance
Above all, experts think Putin greatly underestimated the strength of his opponent. Led by a determined president, Ukrainians of all ages have rallied together to defend their country.

“When you push somebody into a corner and take their home, try and take their cities, they’re going to fight,” said Emmett.

In addition to miscalculating the Ukrainians’ resolve, Emmett thinks Putin overestimated the capabilities of his own troops, many of whom were not battle tested.

“Quite frankly, the Russian army is not that good. It’s made up primarily of conscripts. Some of them don’t even speak Russian. A lot of them don’t even know why they’re in (Ukraine),” he said.

Despite their slow start, Russian forces have advanced in recent days, gaining ground in the push toward Kyiv. But even if Putin’s army reorganizes and defeats Ukraine with more brutal war tactics, Emmett said the resistance inside Ukraine would likely continue, possibly until the invaders leave.

“You’re going to get into phase two, you’re going to get guerrilla warfare, insurgency warfare,” said Emmett.

https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/russia-at-war/why-has-putins-army-struggled-against-ukraine/amp/

Putin praise singers will tell you he's using kids gloves on Ukraine.... they accuse you of brainwashed by the western media.

olugabbie:
None of the US generals that have commented on the conflict mentioned that the Russian military is weak. Including experts. When the US left Afghanistan, people were disappointed. But that does not mean the US military is weak.

The Generals, the experts, and most of the analyst know the true capability of the Russian military.

Russian military is not battle- tested. Russia has not been to war for a long time.

Moreover the Ukrainian military weren't battle-ready. Russia would have taken them unwares, but with this delay the Ukrainians are getting more organized and putting up more resistance. Again, the Ukrainian military could be infiltrated by experienced USA military personnels disguising as volunteers.

It's going to be a long war

mployer:
Russian military is not battle- tested. Russia has not been to war for a long time.

Moreover the Ukrainian military weren't battle-ready. Russia would have taken them unwares, but with this delay the Ukrainians are getting more organized and putting up more resistance. Again, the Ukrainian military could be infiltrated by experienced USA military personnels disguising as volunteers.

It's going to be a long war

That's a lie

Russia subdued, Chechen, Georgia soon Ukraine

I don't support the invasion

But let us don't be bias

Ukraine is not small
Ukraine was a former Soviet state, trained with Russia, has similar equipment, NATO, equipment, Isreal equipment many more


That's not the problem self
Russia and Ukraine are brothers, Russia is being mindful

ken6488:
That's a lie

Russia subdued, Chechen, Georgia soon Ukraine

I don't understand. Did Russia fight war with Georgia? Is Georgia under their control?

Can it compare to what US did in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya?

mployer:
I don't understand. Did Russia fight war with Georgia? Is Georgia under their control?

Can it compare to what US did in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya?

Point of correction it is not USA

USA and NATO countries

That Attack those countries

Syrian army is more combat ready than Russia

Even China

The most combat troops are those who have been in actual war in recent times

Even Hamas will give Russia a bloody nose

Russia combat readiness will only improve after their fight with Ukraine

Same, I dont think any African country down south can match Nigeria Army even with suprior weapons

Those guys at the North East are more combat ready than a soldier that have not been in any war for 20 years

All the troops that attacked Ukraine are seeing war for the first time in their lives, reason generals were sent in to boost their morale

Russian soldiers are like