Defining the Mission: Ukraine’s 2023–2024 Winter Campaign
Survive, Deplete and Destroy
Vladimir Putin started the war in winter 2022. He was the only one who knew what he was up to. His over prepared army invaded a nation with unprepared forces. Winter is a double edged sword that can slice both ways, and the second best army in the world was brought to standstill for overestimating its abilities, conditions and underestimating the enemy.
In the previous winter, Russia faced a pivotal moment after experiencing major losses in Kharkiv and Kherson. Under General Surovikin’s command, the Russian military shifted to a defensive strategy, constructing extensive defensive fortifications across the occupied areas, particularly in Southern Ukraine. However, the dynamics changed unexpectedly on January 11th with General Gerasimov’s appointment as the new chief commander. Following this change in leadership, Russian forces aggressively switched to an offensive approach. Despite these efforts, the outcomes were underwhelming. For eleven months, the Russian military failed to secure any significant territorial gains, not capturing a single town.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Gerasimov, both staunch supporters of Putin, have strengthened their control over Russia’s military hierarchy. General Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th…
