Russia has many problems: Hodges explained what Ukraine needs to suppress the enemy's advance
Date: 2024-12-05 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WAR
The Russian Armed Forces have been conducting offensive operations on several sections of the front for over a year. However, the occupiers' advance can hardly be called successful.
This was stated by military analyst and former commander of the US Ground Forces in Europe Ben Hodges in an interview with Hromadske.
"From Avdiivka to Pokrovsk is 63 kilometers. In a year, the Russians were unable to advance 60 kilometers into Ukrainian territory, even despite heavy losses. Tens of thousands of their soldiers died in these battles. This can hardly be called a successful offensive operation," he said.
Hodges noted that the main thing in war is not stopping the enemy's advance at any cost. He believes that people need to be patient and look at the facts.
"The resources of the Russians are not unlimited. Of course, Russia continues to produce weapons. However, due to sanctions, the Russians cannot get some of the components that they need. When I look at the Russian economy, at the terrible state of the ruble, I must admit that Russia has many problems. However, I do not know how much longer they can continue this war," the analyst emphasized.
According to Hodges, the Russians have a labor shortage. He added that in Russia, there is a shortage of people at weapons factories because they go to the army.
To reduce Russia's capabilities in war, the West should stop the flow of Russian oil to China and India, the analyst said. He said that such an intense war is almost impossible to sustain for long.
"The only advantage that Russia has is a large number of people. That is why it is so important that Ukraine has the ability to hit Russian headquarters, artillery and logistics deep in the rear," he shared.
Hodges told reporters that even thousands of poorly trained Russian infantrymen cannot advance effectively without effective command, artillery support, tanks and sufficient ammunition. According to him, this is why Ukraine needs to transfer more high-precision long-range weapons.
The former commander of the US Army in Europe also spoke about the possible transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. He noted that this could happen as early as 2025:
"In February, Germany will probably have a new government. So I hope that Ukraine will finally be able to receive Taurus missiles next year. I am optimistic."
