Russian Army Debate: Quantity vs Quality in Ukraine War
The Objective's analysis of the Russian military sparks forum debate on attrition warfare, casualty figures, and NATO involvement.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Debate sobre el ejército ruso: ¿cantidad o calidad?
In February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine expecting a quick victory. Three years later, the war continues and the debate over the Russian army's effectiveness remains open. An analysis published by The Objective argues that Russia is not winning and that one reason is its obsolete weaponry. The highly critical text states that Russia has based its strength on massive arsenals, infinite human resources, and material resilience, but reality has proven otherwise: the famous 64-kilometer tank column that never reached Kyiv got stuck due to Ukrainian attacks on its logistics chain. The article also mentions rusting tank graveyards outdoors and enormous Russian casualties. The piece concludes with a controversial statement: "Russia is a cesspit where human life is worth as much as an ant. It is an Asian and Mongolian empire".
La tesis del artículo y la reacción inicial
The analysis by The Objective triggered a storm of reactions. On one hand, those sharing the criticism of the Russian army noted that the invasion has not achieved its initial objectives and that Ukrainian resistance has exposed the logistical and tactical deficiencies of Moscow's forces. On the other, several participants defended that Russia is waging a deliberate war of attrition, minimizing its own casualties and maximizing those of the enemy. "Russia is fighting against all of NATO together with the handbrake on, and just having held out for this long is a victory," wrote one participant. Another added: "Russia is practicing a war of attrition by reducing its casualties to the maximum and maximizing those of its enemy. It is not in a hurry. It will wait for the resistance to collapse completely".
Cifras de bajas: el dato que nadie se pone de acuerdo
One of the most contentious points was casualties. One message claimed that Ukraine has "more than 800,000 casualties among dead, disabled, prisoners, and deserters," while Russia "has only had about 100,000 casualties." That proportion was immediately challenged: "You pulled those numbers out of your ass or from the Kremlin. How curious. Orcolandia barely has casualties, yet it cannot monitor or protect its border with the country it is at war with. Ukraine has huge casualties, but it is able to hold the front causing huge casualties to the Russians and also launching invasions into orc territory." The discussion shifted to the reliability of sources: "The famous body count should be taken with great caution, because they are notorious for inflating figures and especially counting civilians as combatants".
El papel de la OTAN y la guerra de propaganda
Another axis of the debate was NATO's involvement. One participant argued that "Russia is fighting against all of NATO together," while another mocked: "Sure, sure... the first US Marine Division on the Donbass frontline... you're lucky there aren't more trained NATO soldiers than the Russian conscript children you send as cannon fodder." The discussion also addressed propaganda: "People seem to ignore that both sides are waging absolute propaganda war and swallow all info like fools." It was mentioned that The Objective is a media outlet founded in 2013 "secretly created and founded by Englishmen," which for some makes it "propaganda".
La economía rusa y su complejidad
A participant provided an economic complexity chart to argue that Russia cannot have a cutting-edge military industry: "More than 50% is simply mineral extraction, meaning an economy based on the Primary Sector. It is IMPOSSIBLE for it to have a leading military industry." The reply was swift: "Error. Having a decent army for border conflicts and nukes (many nukes) is enough for them." Another recalled that "Uncle Stalin did not create one of the largest military-industrial complexes on the planet".
El desgaste y la evolución del conflicto
As months passed, the focus shifted to the war of attrition. It was mentioned that Ukraine "desperately needs to find meat to send to the grinder," while Russia "is not in a hurry." The situation on the front was also discussed: "While the uks are in Russia, Russia has free rein to take whatever it pleases in Ukraine, as they are doing towards Pokrovsk." The discussion drifted toward combat sarracena and the lack of volunteers: "There are no volunteers to go fight, because nobody wants to lose their life for a senile old man. That is why they have to resort to African, Cuban, Buryat, and Chechen mercenaries".
The analysis by The Objective and the replies it generated leave a panorama without a clear winner. Some argue that the Russian army is an obsolete force that advances only by mass; others say that mass is precisely its advantage in a war of attrition. Casualty figures remain unconfirmed. And the underlying question—whether Russia can win or only resist—remains unanswered.
In February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine expecting a quick victory. Three years later, the war continues and the debate over the Russian army's effectiveness remains open. An analysis published by The Objective argues that Russia is not winning and that one reason is its obsolete weaponry. The highly critical text states that Russia has based its strength on massive arsenals, infinite human resources, and material resilience, but reality has proven otherwise: the famous 64-kilometer tank column that never reached Kyiv got stuck due to Ukrainian attacks on its logistics chain. The article also mentions rusting tank graveyards outdoors and enormous Russian casualties. The piece concludes with a controversial statement: "Russia is a cesspit where human life is worth as much as an ant. It is an Asian and Mongolian empire".
La tesis del artículo y la reacción inicial
The analysis by The Objective triggered a storm of reactions. On one hand, those sharing the criticism of the Russian army noted that the invasion has not achieved its initial objectives and that Ukrainian resistance has exposed the logistical and tactical deficiencies of Moscow's forces. On the other, several participants defended that Russia is waging a deliberate war of attrition, minimizing its own casualties and maximizing those of the enemy. "Russia is fighting against all of NATO together with the handbrake on, and just having held out for this long is a victory," wrote one participant. Another added: "Russia is practicing a war of attrition by reducing its casualties to the maximum and maximizing those of its enemy. It is not in a hurry. It will wait for the resistance to collapse completely".
Cifras de bajas: el dato que nadie se pone de acuerdo
One of the most contentious points was casualties. One message claimed that Ukraine has "more than 800,000 casualties among dead, disabled, prisoners, and deserters," while Russia "has only had about 100,000 casualties." That proportion was immediately challenged: "You pulled those numbers out of your ass or from the Kremlin. How curious. Orcolandia barely has casualties, yet it cannot monitor or protect its border with the country it is at war with. Ukraine has huge casualties, but it is able to hold the front causing huge casualties to the Russians and also launching invasions into orc territory." The discussion shifted to the reliability of sources: "The famous body count should be taken with great caution, because they are notorious for inflating figures and especially counting civilians as combatants".
El papel de la OTAN y la guerra de propaganda
Another axis of the debate was NATO's involvement. One participant argued that "Russia is fighting against all of NATO together," while another mocked: "Sure, sure... the first US Marine Division on the Donbass frontline... you're lucky there aren't more trained NATO soldiers than the Russian conscript children you send as cannon fodder." The discussion also addressed propaganda: "People seem to ignore that both sides are waging absolute propaganda war and swallow all info like fools." It was mentioned that The Objective is a media outlet founded in 2013 "secretly created and founded by Englishmen," which for some makes it "propaganda".
La economía rusa y su complejidad
A participant provided an economic complexity chart to argue that Russia cannot have a cutting-edge military industry: "More than 50% is simply mineral extraction, meaning an economy based on the Primary Sector. It is IMPOSSIBLE for it to have a leading military industry." The reply was swift: "Error. Having a decent army for border conflicts and nukes (many nukes) is enough for them." Another recalled that "Uncle Stalin did not create one of the largest military-industrial complexes on the planet".
El desgaste y la evolución del conflicto
As months passed, the focus shifted to the war of attrition. It was mentioned that Ukraine "desperately needs to find meat to send to the grinder," while Russia "is not in a hurry." The situation on the front was also discussed: "While the uks are in Russia, Russia has free rein to take whatever it pleases in Ukraine, as they are doing towards Pokrovsk." The discussion drifted toward combat sarracena and the lack of volunteers: "There are no volunteers to go fight, because nobody wants to lose their life for a senile old man. That is why they have to resort to African, Cuban, Buryat, and Chechen mercenaries".
The analysis by The Objective and the replies it generated leave a panorama without a clear winner. Some argue that the Russian army is an obsolete force that advances only by mass; others say that mass is precisely its advantage in a war of attrition. Casualty figures remain unconfirmed. And the underlying question—whether Russia can win or only resist—remains unanswered.
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (142 replies).
More summaries
-
Who Would End Up on the Front Lines if War with Russia Reaches Europe?
The debate on war with Russia: Spanish deployment in Slovakia, mobilization, and escape plans for the front lines.
-
Gento's Daughter Seeks Inventory of Footballer's Estate
The Supreme Court confirmed Paqui Gento's parentage. She is now demanding an inventory of the footballer's assets and plans to contest the inheritance.
-
Russian Air Force in Ukraine: Incompetence or Doctrine?
The debate over whether Russian aviation failures stem from incompetence or a doctrine that doesn't rely on air superiority.
-
Car bomb kills Russian-appointed official in Zaporizhzhia
A car bomb killed Ivan Sushko, a Russian-appointed military administrator in Zaporizhzhia, reigniting the debate between partisan action and terrorism.
-
Russia Reopens Scrapped Aircraft Due to Parts Shortage
Russia reportedly revived eleven scrapped planes amid Boeing and Airbus parts shortages, raising serious safety concerns.
-
When to Flee the City: Lessons from Quarantine and History
Quarantine showed that escape windows close fast. Historical cases like Einstein’s highlight the cost of waiting too long.