Russian commanders don’t care about the troops that have died in Ukraine, said the chief of NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence Jānis Sārts in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma.
Real peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are unlikely or realistic. What could happen during these talks is now taking place on the battlefield.
According to Sārts, expecting Ukraine’s counter attack, Russia may decide to freeze the existing front line in order to start its own.
As for the agreement reached for exports of grain, Sārts believes the agreement is dubious, as Russia will let it work from time to time and interfere with it just as often, using it as a tool of influence.
«We shouldn’t have any illusions about Russia having any good will,» said the Latvian expert.
He said Russia’s capabilities in leading an intensive offensive have gone down – since the capture of Severodonetsk and Lisichansk there haven’t been any major events, which may indicate the accumulation of numerous problems within the Russian army. The Ukrainian army, on the other hand, is preparing a counter attack – whether it will be enough to turn the tide, time will tell. However, the transition from defence to offensive will be a new test for Ukrainian armed forces.
The sentiment about the war and how Russian troops are avoiding the draft indicates that those who have seen action in Ukraine are not happy.
Russia is trying to make it more appealing for men to join the army, but this means there will be more casualties, because «they basically don’t care about their soldiers,» said Sārts.
As for Russia’s military goals, the expert said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin may want to establish control over entire Ukraine. On top of that, preparations are underway for referendums in order to annex what Russia already controls.
«The question is will this be used as an instrument of control, or will they try to go through with this to the end,» said Sārts.
The war in Ukraine is unlike anything Europe has ever seen. It has claimed many lives already. Both sides suffer losses, but the difference is how commanders treat losses.
«Sometimes I’m shocked seeing how Russian commanders show no care about the lives of Russian troops. I’ve not seen something like that from Ukrainian commanders,» said the Latvian expert.