Why is Russia, a country 27 times larger than Ukraine, struggling?
Why ukraine stands strong against a mighty russia
February 2022:
In the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict that began in 2014, February 2022 proved to be a significant turning point. Following orders from Moscow, 190,000 Russian soldiers launched an attack on Ukraine. However, this was not an overnight decision. Both Russia and Ukraine had been preparing for this confrontation for a long time. Russia had anticipated a quick victory – an attack in the morning followed by a victory speech by evening – but things didn’t go as planned.
Ukraine was once a part of the Soviet Union, effectively a smaller region within a larger country. When the Soviet Union disbanded in 1991, 14 countries, including Ukraine, became independent. Ukrainians and Russians were like brothers. After granting Ukraine independence, Russia’s subsequent attack on the country seemed unnecessary. However, circumstances changed, and the camaraderie between the two nations dissolved, leaving them on opposite sides.
Russia, which assumed it would invade, conquer, and assert its dominance globally, has now been forced to hide its face in embarrassment. Although Russia is 27 times larger than Ukraine in terms of area and significantly more powerful in military, economic, and political strength, Ukraine has surprisingly managed to challenge and exhaust Russia.
A Brief Background:
In 1991, when Ukraine separated from Russia, it became the second-largest nation in Europe by land area. At the time, Ukraine had around 5,000 Soviet nuclear weapons stationed on its territory. Under the false assumption that it didn’t need such weapons, Ukraine handed them over to Russia.
For about a decade and a half, things remained relatively peaceful until 2008, when NATO extended an invitation to Ukraine to join its alliance. NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was established specifically to counter Russia. One of NATO’s key principles is that an attack on one member nation is considered an attack on all, requiring a collective response.
If Ukraine joined NATO and Russia attacked it, all NATO member nations, led primarily by the United States, would have to fight Russia. Since the U.S. plays a leading role in NATO and has always spearheaded anti-Russia lobbying, the situation was concerning for Russia.
Russia decided that Ukraine should never join NATO. Acting as a buffer zone between NATO countries and Russia, Ukraine was critical to Russian security. Should Ukraine become part of NATO, the alliance would effectively be at Russia’s doorstep. Thus, Russia began threatening Ukraine.
The discussions about Ukraine joining NATO continued, but in 2014, the situation escalated, and Russia launched a minor attack on Ukraine. The issue subsided for a while but re-emerged in 2021 when discussions about new countries joining NATO surfaced. Ukraine was once again under consideration.
Enter Volodymyr Zelenskyy:
In 2019, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, known for his comedic roles in films and TV shows, became Ukraine’s president. Many believed he lacked the courage to stand up to Russia. During his campaign, Zelenskyy promised to put an end to Russia’s interference, which had persisted since 2014.
Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, assumed Zelenskyy – a comedian with no political experience – would be easy to manipulate. Putin believed Zelenskyy wouldn’t pose a threat and could even be coerced into joining NATO. To prevent this, Russia launched a full-scale invasion.
A Miscalculation by Russia:
Russia and much of the world expected Ukraine to surrender within days or weeks. However, nearly three years into the war, Ukraine’s resolve remains unshaken, while Russia faces significant losses.
In the first six months alone, Russia lost 15 senior officers, including lieutenant generals – a loss unprecedented since World War II. While Russia initially captured some border regions and raised its flag there, Ukrainian civilians, not just soldiers, took up arms to resist. Women joined the fight, donning military uniforms and entering the battlefield.
Despite its superior resources and sheer size, Russia underestimated Ukraine’s capacity to fight back. Decades of inactivity in large-scale warfare left Russian soldiers and weaponry ill-prepared for such a conflict.
Reasons Behind Ukraine’s Resilience:
1. Underestimation by Russia:
Russia launched the attack without adequately assessing Ukraine’s capabilities.
2. Widespread Resistance:
Beyond the military, ordinary Ukrainian citizens, including women, joined the fight, demonstrating incredible resilience.
3. Leadership by Zelenskyy:
Instead of leading from his office, Zelenskyy personally visited conflict zones, boosting the morale of soldiers and civilians alike.
4. Support from the International Community:
Nations opposing Russia, particularly the U.S., provided Ukraine with financial aid, weapons, food, and shelter for displaced citizens.
5. Global Sympathy:
Russia’s invasion violated international laws, including the UN Charter, earning Ukraine widespread international support.
Russia’s Dilemma:
Russia is now stuck in a situation where neither victory nor retreat seems feasible. A retreat would mean global humiliation, while a victory would come at an immense economic cost. The war has already frozen $250 billion of Russian assets abroad, driven out over 400 foreign companies from Russia, and inflicted severe economic damage.
For Russia, this invasion of Ukraine has become a global example of self-destruction – a case of “shooting yourself in the foot.”
