Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 will be a fatal mistake for the Kremlin, similar to the collapse of Nazi Germany’s offensive against the Soviet Union. This was stated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, in his column dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz prisoners.
A Prolonged War and Russia’s Mobilization Potential
Zaluzhnyi emphasized that Ukraine is in a protracted war that is far from over. However, the Kremlin’s strategic failure is already evident: its attempt to capture Kyiv quickly ended in disaster, and the drawn-out conflict is depleting Russia’s resources. At the same time, Putin’s dictatorship is better suited for a prolonged war than Western democracies.
“Russia can mobilize millions of people—from trench diggers to ammunition and drone manufacturers. In a dictatorship, avoiding conscription is nearly impossible,” he noted.
Western Hesitation and Moscow’s Alliances
The Commander-in-Chief also stressed that the West made a mistake by delaying the supply of weapons to Ukraine and fearing Putin’s so-called “red lines.” This has allowed Russia to strengthen its positions and build military partnerships with authoritarian regimes, particularly China, Iran, and North Korea.
Putin Is Repeating Hitler’s Path
Zaluzhnyi drew a historical parallel between the fall of Nazi Germany and Russia’s inevitable defeat. He noted that just as Hitler miscalculated by launching a war of attrition, Putin will face the consequences of his imperial ambitions.
Ukrainian forces continue to resist, gradually dismantling Russia’s military machine and depriving it of its resources. Meanwhile, international partners play a crucial role in supporting Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the aggressor.
Earlier, we reported that Russian aggression is intensifying in the Sumy and Poltava regions, causing massive destruction. Read more in our article: Russian Aggression in Poltava and Sumy: Widespread Destruction, Casualties, and International Reactions.