Wrong reasons

It is now nearly a month after the mighty army of Russian invaded a week Ukraine as the world watches the horrors unleashed by constant Russian missile and rocket bombardments. According to US military observers, the Russians have lost close to a little over 15,000 men including four major generals and one lieutenant general. The deaths of that many top generals revealed how effective the Ukrainian defence has been. Those killed included- Major General Oleg, commander of Russian Army’s 150th motorised rifle division, created in 2016. He is reported to have died close to Mariupol, killed by the far-right Azov regiment. Major General Kolesnikov, commander of the 29th combined army, was reportedly killed in battle on 11 March. Major General Vitaly Gerasimov, chief of staff of Russia’s 41st combined army, was allegedly killed on 7 March outside the eastern city of Kharkiv. Major General Andrey Sukhovetsky was the deputy commander of Russia’s 41st combined army, the same unit as Major General Gerasimov. Lieutenant General Andrei Mordvichev was the commander of the 8th general army of the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces. He is reported to have died in firing by the Ukraine army. Andrey Paliy, 51-year-old deputy commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, had died in the battle for Mariupol. Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Safronov, Commander of the 61st separate marine brigade, was killed when Ukraine recaptured Chuhuiv. The Ukraine Ministry of Defence announced the killing of Lieutenant Colonel Denis Glebov, deputy commander of the 11th separate airborne assault. These indicate that the Russians have bitten off more than they could chew. Media analysts across the globe have said that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin may have grossly under estimated the capability of the Ukrainian army when he ordered the invasion on February 24. Putin had expected his army to roll over Ukraine within two to three days. His over confidence may have stemmed from Russia’s military achievements in Crimea, Georgia and earlier in Chechnya. Given the fact that Russia outmanned Ukraine 9:1 and outgunned it by 10:1; not even the USA, if it was placed with the same disadvantage and in the same situation, could have withstood the Russian blitzkrieg. According to Bloombergs tally, Russia has lost 214 tanks, nearly 80 aircraft, 90 attack helicopters and 1,292 vehicles in total to attack, capture, or desertion, while Ukraine has lost at least 74 tanks- destroyed or captured. However, what takes the cake is that Ukraine captured at least 117 Russian tanks, according to open-source-intelligence analysts who scrutinize photos and videos on social media. Though the Russians reportedly captured at least 37 Ukrainian tanks- it was inadequate to compensate for the roughly 274 tanks it is believed to have lost to all causes. Leaving aside the fight, Ukrainian deaths of hundreds of children and thousands of civilians and exodus of lakhs of refugees will be the biggest ever scar of the war. Ukraine is now like a desolate land with cities reduced to rubble by Russian bombs. The NATO countries have shown their unreliability and Ukraine should not waste time. What can change the dynamics is if Putin agrees to talk to Volodymyr Zelynsky and agree to halt the war. This is Putin’s only way out by which he can extricate himself and also convince Zelensky that it is wiser to live in peace and remain outside NATO.