Ukraine War - International Studies of Strategic and Geopolitics

The Strategic Importance of the Dnipro River in the Russia-Ukraine War

13Nov

By ISSGNo Comments

Russia and Eurasia, Defense Strategy and Capabilities, Europe

The Strategic Importance of the Dnipro River in the Russia-Ukraine War

By José Carlos Palma* The Dnipro River, the longest river in Ukraine, has played a pivotal role in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The river's strategic importance stems from its geographical position, its role in transportation and logistics, and its symbolic significance for both sides. Geographical Significance Flowing from north to south through the heart of Ukraine, the Dnipro River divides the country into eastern and western halves. This geographical feature has significant implications for both military operations and civilian life. For Russian forces, controlling the Dnipro River would provide a natural defensive barrier and facilitate the movement of troops and supplies. Ukrainian forces, on the other hand, have sought to prevent Russian control of the river, re...

Understanding the Limited Opposition to Russia’s Ukraine War: A Sociological Perspective

2Nov

By ISSGNo Comments

Russia and Eurasia, Study Office

Understanding the Limited Opposition to Russia’s Ukraine War: A Sociological Perspective

Photo: Russian soldiers head towards a train station in Volgograd Oblast By José Carlos Palma * Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, and the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, have faced relatively limited opposition from the Russian populace. Despite international concerns and the conflict's longevity, a recent study by Russian sociologist Lev Gudkov, head of the independent Leveda Center, provides insights into the factors contributing to this lack of widespread anti-war sentiment. Stifled Dissent: Strict Censorship and State Propaganda One of the key reasons for the lack of opposition to the Ukraine war in Russia is the presence of strict censorship and pervasive state propaganda. Gudkov notes that the majority of Russians are deprived of independent news sources due to censorshi...

Geopolitical and Technocratic: EU International Actorness and Russia’s War Against Ukraine

16Mar

By ISSGNo Comments

Europe

Geopolitical and Technocratic: EU International Actorness and Russia’s War Against Ukraine

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 marked the start of the largest and most brutal war at the heart of the European continent since World War II. It inevitably came as a "cold shower" for the EU and Member States' politicians, demonstrating with absolute certainty the fragility of the international and European security order. The EU responded to the invasion with unprecedented sanctions against Russia and Belarus and multi-faceted resolute support to Ukraine. The latter included the breaking of many previously existing taboos, such as the first ever use of the European Peace Facility to procure weapons for a third country at war or offering collective protection to about 8 million Ukrainian citizens and residents, fleeing the war. The war prompted EU le...

Is China Losing Patience with Russia’s War?

24Feb

By ISSGNo Comments

Asia

Is China Losing Patience with Russia’s War?

By NOAH ROTHMAN * China’s supposed peace overture is likely a product of its unease with how its junior partner in Eurasia has prosecuted the conflict. All Our Opinion in Your Inbox NR Daily is delivered right to you every afternoon. No charge. SUBSCRIBE For months, political observers have been confronted with growing evidence that the formerly durable consensus in the West around the need to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s war of territorial expansion is eroding. This developing trend has been met with both trepidation and jubilance, depending on the observer’s political affinities. The risks associated with drawing a potentially fallacious straight-line projection into the future notwithstanding, the trend is real, and no one can afford to ignore it....

Germany to send Leopard 1 battle tanks to Ukraine

3Feb

By ISSGNo Comments

Europe

Germany to send Leopard 1 battle tanks to Ukraine

Berlin — The German government has issued an export licence for Leopard 1 battle tanks to Ukraine, spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in Berlin on Friday, without giving further details. Until now, the government had only decided to approve the delivery of modern Leopard 2 battle tanks from the military stocks of the Bundeswehr. German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) had reported that manufacturers Rheinmetall and FFG wanted to refurbish dozens of Leopard 1 tanks and could supply them to Ukraine for the fight against Russia. According to other media reports, Rheinmetall has 88 Leopard 1 tanks at its disposal. However, the SZ report added that there had been problems so far with procuring ammunition. The refurbishment is expected to take many months. “Even if the decision is mad...

Russia’s ‘Killer’ Swarm Drone Project: Russian, Chinese Agencies ‘Partner’ To Attack Ukraine’s Military Infra – British Media Claims

3Feb

By ISSGNo Comments

Military Technology, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Privacy

Russia’s ‘Killer’ Swarm Drone Project: Russian, Chinese Agencies ‘Partner’ To Attack Ukraine’s Military Infra – British Media Claims

By Ashish Dangwal In a covert arms agreement with Chinese spies, Russia’s infamous Wagner Group mercenaries are reportedly developing “swarm drones” to target Ukrainian armed forces. The explosive-tipped drones from China would reportedly be used in large numbers against Ukraine. These drones would be capable of wreaking havoc on military targets. The British media claimed that secret discussions between Chinese cyber experts, the Wagner Group, and spies from both nations have taken place as part of Moscow’s killer swarm project. The developments contrast Beijing’s claims that it is not engaged in the Ukraine war, morphing into a West-versus-East confrontation. Over 2,500 DJI Mavic2 drones were shipped from Beijing to Moscow as part of a secret agreement with Russia’s infamous W...

There are almost 6,000 Russian soldiers in Belarus – Intelligence Agency

26Jan

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Intelligence, Surveillance, and Privacy

There are almost 6,000 Russian soldiers in Belarus – Intelligence Agency

There are almost 6,000 Russian soldiers on the territory of Belarus. According to the press service of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the corresponding statement was made by the representative of the Main Intelligence Agency Vadym Skibitsky on the air of the national telethon. "Today, the land component on the territory of Belarus is 5,800 military personnel. The second mechanized division has now moved to the territory of Russia, and has also entered the territory of Ukraine. This is Luhansk region. Now units of the sixth division, units of territorial troops, are entering there for training. This is not at all like that the contingent that was at the beginning of the aggression. There is no powerful aviation component, despite the training, there ...

The UK says sending Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine is a potential ‘game changer’ in the war

16Jan

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Europe

The UK says sending Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine is a potential ‘game changer’ in the war

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed on Saturday that the UK will send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, the BBC reported, marking the first time a Western country has sent its most powerful heavy armor to Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the UK and said the move "will not only strengthen us on the battlefield, but also send the right signal to other partners," per the BBC. He added while the UK's support was "always strong" it was "now impenetrable". The BBC reported that it understands the initial commitment is for about a dozen tanks, which would be enough to equip a squadron, but falls well short of the hundreds of tanks that Kyiv has requested. The tank would be superior to every Russian battle tank it opposes, an expert told Insider, and some reports suggest the...

Why Is Russia Recruiting Former Afghan Soldiers For Its War Against Ukraine? – Analysis

16Jan

By ISSGNo Comments

Defense Strategy and Capabilities, Defense & Security

Why Is Russia Recruiting Former Afghan Soldiers For Its War Against Ukraine? – Analysis

By The Jamestown Foundation According to multiple reports, Russia is recruiting Afghan security personnel, who were previously trained by the United States, for its war effort against Ukraine. The former Afghan elite commandos and soldiers are reportedly joining the Russian private military company known as the Wagner Group, a private mercenary force playing a prominent role in Moscow’s war against Ukraine—especially in the recent intense fighting around Bakhmut (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, December 27, 2022). Before its military withdrawal, which was completed in 2021, the US built and trained the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, spending almost $90 billion over the past 20 years. US Navy SEALs and the British Special Air Service handled most of the training for these...

Russia plans to mobilize 500,000 soldiers in days. If they don’t deliver victory, then ‘Putin will collapse,’ says Ukrainian spy chief.

7Jan

By ISSGNo Comments

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Privacy

Russia plans to mobilize 500,000 soldiers in days. If they don’t deliver victory, then ‘Putin will collapse,’ says Ukrainian spy chief.

The Ukrainian military is warning that Putin is planning to mobilize up to half a million new troops in preparation for a new offensive in Ukraine. Speaking to the German news site T-Online, Andriy Chernyak, a Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service representative, said that they believe the mobilization will be announced on January 15, after the Orthodox Christian Christmas. Chernyak estimated 500,000 people would be mobilized, with those living in cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg to be most impacted. Vadym Skibitsky, Ukraine's deputy military intelligence chief, said the recruits would be used in attacks that will begin in the spring in the east and south of Ukraine, reported the Evening Standard. "We expect them to conduct offensives in Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, as well ...