Reports of tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border focus most of the time on Russia's strength and the threat of an invasion that is set to take place at any moment.
However, the question hardly arises as to the state of the Ukrainian army, which in 2014 did not prevent the annexation of Crimea and allowed the establishment of separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk under Russian auspices.
"You could say that in 2014 Ukraine simply did not have an army," Major (Res.) Victor Wurzner, 45, tells Israel Today. Decisions at the Ukrainian military level. "There was no logistical supply: they relied on volunteers who brought food and hot equipment to the units every day, and raised money even to purchase intentions or night-vision equipment. H. was in a very bad situation, and the army relied on outdated Soviet martial theory. "Corruption was also celebrated and expressed, for example, in unnecessary purchases."
But according to Wertsner, a lot of water has flowed in the Dnieper since 2014, "There is a significant improvement in equipment, conditions, even food. There is an improvement in command and control, there is an encrypted connection - which was not. There is also much more orderly staff work. "In manpower and tools, but their most significant advantage is in the air and at sea: Ukraine has nothing to confront them in these areas at all."
On the other hand, in the ground forces the Russian advantages are less prominent, "Ukraine also has some strengths: advanced anti-tank weapons, both Javelin missiles received from the US, and new Lao missiles received in recent days from the UK".
Ukraine's Defense Forces, Photo: AFP
In his estimation, "any Russian attack will start with launching cruise missiles and ballistic missiles like 'Iskander' to destroy Ukrainian anti-aircraft systems, assembly areas, weapons depots and staffs if possible, and artillery barrage. Then comes the invasion of infantry and armored forces, and here the Ukrainians can gain achievements, if they do not fortify themselves with the old Soviet method of 'not even one step back'. "Then they should use Western intelligence, and try to maneuver the attacking units into extermination areas."
Another thing that stands with the Ukrainians is the morale, "They will fight for their home, which will contribute to their determination. There will also be a partisan war in the occupied territories, even though Ukraine has units of regional defense - these are civilians more or less professionally trained for total invasion, so they can sabotage "Ukraine's overarching goal should be to pull time and cause as many casualties as possible for the Russians. Putin will not be able to completely silence this, certainly not in the age of social media, and that will undermine him."
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