Russia relies on brute force to wage war in Ukraine

In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Russian military is employing a strategy reminiscent of historical military operations, relying significantly on its numerical superiority in personnel and weaponry. This method of warfare, defined as attrition warfare, prioritizes exhausting the enemy’s resources, personnel, and morale, mirroring strategies seen during critical historical conflicts where overwhelming numbers were pivotal to outcomes in battles. Historically, the Russian military has demonstrated a willingness to incur massive losses, with past encounters in World War I and World War II evidencing this trend. For instance, Russian forces faced immense casualties during the early phases of World War II but continued to mobilize vast resources, ultimately emerging stronger by the end of the conflict despite earlier losses. Today, the military strategy in Ukraine appears to reflect similar doctrines whereby sheer force is leveraged to achieve set objectives. Death tolls and destruction are substantial, and while this methodology may raise ethical debates, it aligns with the operational culture and historical precedents that have shaped Russian military doctrine. Experts suggest that cultural patterns influence high-ranking military officials, who tailor strategies that resonate with Russia's long-standing military approaches, driven by their historical experiences, resource availability, and the perceived necessities of war. Consequently, the ongoing situation exhibits a cold calculus wherein the Russian military's operational decisions echo the past, relying on the lessons learned from history, suggesting that the pattern of attrition warfare may well be the very essence of Russia's current tactical choices on the battlefield.