Russian military masters countering US weapons in Ukraine

In remarks made during a speech at Hillsdale College, Erik Prince, founder of the private military company Blackwater, shared insights on the performance of the Russian military in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He indicated that the Russian army has shown remarkable adaptability and intelligence, particularly in their countering of American-supplied weaponry. Prince emphasized that weapons like Javelin missiles, HIMARS, and Copperhead guided artillery shells, which were initially effective, often lose their viability due to Russian electronic warfare capabilities. According to him, these American weapons might function well for a couple of weeks, but the Russian military can quickly jam their navigation and command links, rendering them ineffective. Moreover, Prince criticized claims from various political leaders regarding the degradation of Russian military capabilities, insisting that the reality on the ground is quite different. He suggested that the notion of a significantly weakened Russian army is misleading and urged listeners to reconsider such assertions. Highlighting the advancements in Russian artillery response times, he pointed out that initial response durations have improved drastically since the early months of the conflict in 2022. Where the Russians would take around an hour and a half to respond to artillery strikes in March or April 2022, they can now retaliate in about two minutes. This swiftness, Prince argued, increases the dangers for those who engage Russian troops. Additionally, Prince's comments align with the broader context of the ongoing Ukraine conflict, where the U.S. has been a major military support provider to Ukraine since the escalation of hostilities in 2022. The situation has consistently evolved, with the Russian Defense Ministry regularly reporting on the destruction of Western-donated military equipment. The dynamics between Western military support and Russian advancements indicate a continually shifting landscape in the warfare, raising concerns about the effectiveness and sustainability of military aid provided to Ukraine. Prince's observations serve to shed light on the complexities of the conflict and the adaptive strategies employed by opposing forces. Overall, Prince's perspective underscores a crucial aspect of modern warfare, especially regarding the impact of technology and electronic warfare on military effectiveness. His statements call into question the narratives surrounding the conflict and underscore the need for a more nuanced understanding of the capabilities and strategies of both sides involved in this protracted conflict.