The war in Ukraine has thrown into bold relief the possibility of a future conflict between Russia and NATO.Not since the Cold War have tensions been so high. Russia is deeply involved in a war that shows no sign of slowing down or stopping.
Russia has learnt and improved from its disastrous start to the invasion. But has it improved enough to be able to take on the largest military alliance in history?
Russia’s army
Russia’s ground forces have seen rapid expansion as a result of the war in Ukraine.
Quality has not kept pace as larger numbers have not offset poor training and huge equipment shortages. For Russia, the only path to a military victory is through attrition and the use of its larger armed forces to ground down the smaller Ukrainian army.
Moscow has slowly absorbed the costly lessons from the beginning of the war. Poor-quality troops are better suited for defence and the adroit use of extensive defensive lines in southern Ukraine’s flat, open countryside helped blunt Ukraine’s counteroffensive in 2023. Russia has learnt that only better-quality soldiers can be used for offensive action.
A pedestrian walks past a mobile recruitment point promoting service in the Russian army and inviting volunteers to sign a contract with the defence ministry, in a street in Moscow, Russia, May 3, 2023 [Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters]
Elite units like the marine infantry, airborne troops known as VDV, and Russia’s Spetsnaz special forces now receive better equipment, longer training and better officer training.
They are also being dramatically expanded. The Marines for example are being increased from five brigades or about 20,000 soldiers to five divisions – meaning about 75,000 soldiers.
Russia’s m …
