The Russian Invasion Remains on the Minds of the World

Editorial Staff - March 7, 2022

Things have not gone exactly as Putin had hoped for the Russian invasion of Ukraine with his troops stalled and facing staunch resistance from the Ukrainians. This opposition has led some to believe that the Russian troops might even taste defeat.

This idea was touted by the UK's top military commander Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said Russia's troops were 'in a mess' and the invasion was not going well. His comments yesterday represent the most optimistic assessment yet of how the conflict may end – but came on another bleak day, with Russian forces firing on families as they fled from the fighting attempting to flee the country under what was supposed to be a cease-fire which was violated by Russian shelling.

When the invasion began it was assumed to be inevitable that Russian tanks would roll into Kyiv within hours. But that effort has been stalled by a series of strategic blunders and the remarkable resistance of Ukrainian troops on the battlefield, the outcome of the campaign could now be in doubt.

Sir Tony, the former head of the Royal Navy, who was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff late last year, was speaking after eight Russian aircraft were shot down in 24 hours and with the Russians, contrary to their military doctrine, have also been forced to admit that almost 500 of their soldiers have been killed although it is estimated that number to be much higher.

To add insult to injury a Russian convoy of hundreds of vehicles and an estimated 15,000 troops has ground to a halt literally stuck in place. This convoy including tanks, missile batteries and armoured personnel carriers, had been earmarked by Putin to encircle Kyiv and pound the Ukrainians into submission. The operation is considered at least a month behind schedule, according to UK military sources.

Given the unified approach to sanctions that the UK, US, and other world powers have displayed, the Kremlin chief may not be able to sustain a military campaign for that long.

Sir Tony said on BBC yesterday when asked whether Russia taking over Ukraine was 'inevitable', he responded: "No. I think we've seen a Russian invasion that is not going well.

I think we're also seeing remarkable resistance by Ukraine, both its armed forces and its people and we're seeing the unity of the whole globe coming together, applying pressure to Russia.

'Russia is suffering, Russia is an isolated power. It is less powerful than it was ten days ago. Some of the lead elements of Russian forces have been decimated by the Ukrainian response."

Only time will tell the outcome of course. One thing you can be sure of is that Putin will ratchet up the attacks in an effort to save face because right now he is sitting egg on his face because of the so far failed attempt to descimate Ukraine.