Putin’s two options in Ukraine war’s second phase: retreat or mass slaughter

Standard Russian doctrine for attacking a country the size of Ukraine would require a methodical advance, with massive artillery and air strikes making way for logistical support. Instead, they sent tanks and motorized infantry to grab key targets with only the provisions they could carry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured March 29, 2017, started bombing Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The task for NATO now is to protect Ukraine, the country it kept out, while avoiding a nuclear war, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of the Kremlin

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

March 10, 2022

LONDON, U.K.—Two weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine, and still no "decapitation" of the Ukrainian government, no city captured except Kherson (which no non-Ukrainian had ever heard of before the war), and maybe 2,000 military dead on each side. It’s not exactly a stalemate, since the Russians h...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy