As of: February 20, 2024, 4:15 p.m
By: Helmi Krappitz
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Press
Split
Russia suffered heavy losses in the capture of the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka - retired US general Ben Hodges considers Putin's army to be incompetent.
Avdiivka – For many weeks there was a standstill on the front lines of the Ukrainian war.
Russia wants to change that and has recently relied on other strategies.
Probably with success, because the Russian armed forces conquered the city of Avdiivka - but at a high price.
Former US General Ben Hodges didn't miss the opportunity to make fun of the Luftwaffe's high casualty figures despite the conquest.
After retreat: Defense systems shoot down several Russian aircraft
Although Putin's army has taken the long-contested city of Avdiywka, the situation with the Russian air force is getting worse, the
Kyiv Post
reported .
Russia sent three planes on Saturday (February 17) after Ukraine withdrew - but all three disappeared from radar.
Through the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's X account, Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk announced that the planes had been shot down.
“You see, the system works!” they said.
On Sunday and Monday he reported further shootings by defense systems.
The battle for Avdiywka is estimated to have cost Russia more than 400 tanks and many thousands of soldiers, according to
Business Insider
.
Former US general Ben Hodges does not see himself threatened by Russia's army.
© picture alliance/dpa |
Ingo Wagner
US general blasphemes Russia's army: "Their navy sucks, their air force sucks"
The Russian losses gave Hodges reason to comment on Russia's military.
“Their navy sucks, their air force sucks, and they lost half a million soldiers,” the pensioner told the
Kyiv Independent
.
The British Ministry of Defense also announced in January that Russia was on track to suffer such high losses - but by the end of the year.
Hodges, who previously commanded the U.S. Army in Europe, made his point clear.
He said the West needed to "beat up" Russia to defend the young democracy that the country led by Vladimir Putin had invaded.
“After 10 years, Russia had all the advantages, and they still only occupy 18 percent of Ukraine,” he said, referring not only to the full-scale invasion that began in 2022 but also the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
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Not to be underestimated: Russia has more armed forces than before the war
Others say that Putin should not be underestimated because Russia quickly recovers from losses.
An attack on a NATO country like Lithuania could be dangerous, said the director of the Lithuanian Defense Ministry, Vaidotas Urbelis, to
Business Insider
.
The Kremlin chief is now said to have an even larger military force and more war experience.
“If you just look at the sheer numbers, Russia has more people in the armed forces now than before the invasion,” Urbelis added.
Russia “internally weak”: Ukraine fights for NATO security
Hodges, however, argued that Russia was the country that was "weak internally" and that the US and the West should support Ukraine "not out of fear, but out of opportunity."
He said: "Here is a young, democratic country fighting for its survival, but if Ukraine is successful, it will solve Europe's security problems for decades."
(hk)