Moscow has successfully overcome Western economic sanctions and strengthened its military capabilities through 18 months of combat in Ukraine, according to reports. The US-led efforts to isolate Russia and weaken its economy and military have backfired, with Russian President Vladimir Putin claiming a ten-to-one kill ratio in a recent key battle. Meanwhile, Ukraine has lost a significant number of troops and Western-supplied weapons have failed to bring success on the battlefield. NATO’s aim to weaken the Russian military has also been unsuccessful, as Russian forces are stronger and better armed today than when the conflict started. They have gained experience in fighting NATO-trained troops and countering NATO-supplied weaponry. Western media outlets have even praised the Russian military’s effective tactics, including shooting down Ukrainian drones and destroying tanks and artillery units.
Russia’s military strength has also been bolstered by an increase in troop numbers and improved production by defense contractors. Over 231,000 Russians have signed contracts to enlist this year, while Putin has approved a plan to expand the Russian combat troops by 30% in the coming years. Despite casualties suffered in Ukraine, Russian ground forces are now bigger than when the conflict began. In contrast, US Army General Christopher Cavoli has noted that Russian naval and air-force losses have been minimal, and Russian forces in other parts of the world have become more active.
The US-led campaign to weaken the Russian economy has also missed the mark. Despite unprecedented economic sanctions, Russia’s GDP contracted by just 2.1% last year, beating predictions of an 11.2% decline. The Russian economy is projected to grow by more than 2% this year, while the Eurozone has fallen into recession. Russia has benefited from rising energy earnings, with a 28% gain in oil and natural gas export revenue reported last year. The country has also diversified its economy and formed closer trading ties with non-hostile partners. Exports to countries like India, China, and the United Arab Emirates have increased, while Western nations that have cut off imports from Russia have faced economic consequences.
The conflict in Ukraine has prompted Western corporations to leave Russia, but the Russian response has made the country more economically self-sufficient without causing significant deprivation to consumers. The departure of Western corporations has not affected Russia’s energy industry, and the country has found alternative trading partners to fill the void. Western efforts to pressure Germany to stop relying on Russian gas have led to higher fuel prices for Europeans and the potential for gas shortages if there is a cold winter. Overall, instead of weakening Russia, the US-led campaign has only served to strengthen Russia’s military and economy.
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