Why Russian Defenses Failed to Stop Ukraine's Invasion

As Ukraine's offensive into Russia's Kursk oblast continues, it is time to reach a preliminary understanding of why Russian troops failed to stop the incursion. This video looks at a pair of intelligence problems. One issue was the underestimation of Ukraine's political will to conduct the attack. The other issue was the failure to observe what was happening as the attack began. Combined, this led to an under-equipped border guard that failed to receive sufficient reinforcements. As a result, Ukraine had a relatively easy time advancing deep into Russian territory.

0:00 Ukraine's Kursk Offensive Continues
2:15 Russia's Manpower Problems
6:05 Failed Political Intelligence
16:00 Line Defense 101
18:01 Failed Surveillance Intelligence

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

By RIA Novosti:

By Mediazona:

[edsr]

Am I the only one who thinks it’s funny that Russia claimed foul play in International Law?

[moseszero]

The irony of this situation is that it happened because Russia attacked from the north again. That forced the issue of allowing western weapons/equipment to be used on russian land. Which allowed this incursion to occur.

[craigberger]

You have to give this guy credit. He knows how to crank out a quick analysis.

[Ozzie-qwbx]

This is the fatal flaw of Dictatorship. Everyone is afraid to give bad news to the dear leader 🤣🤣

[mirandahotspring]

Now Russia has the second best army in Russia.
The West, "You can't use these weapons to strike Russia from Ukraine."
Zelenskyy, "So let's use these weapons to strike Russia, from Russia!"

[trillowl]

Incredible content with length and substance WITHOUT intrusive advertising. Mr. Lines, you are a hero of our time.

[Nappanaia]

Earliest I've ever been.

But clearly we know it's because Kursk Oblast held a referendum to secede so Ukraine is just liberating them.

[tomako]

I just want to say how much I appreciate the way you are able to make a 20 minute video worth of GOOD and informative content (including the lines on maps) in such a short amount of time. Thank you.

[tomalexander]

The russians spent all the money on that ridiculously long table

[awesomehpt]

2022: Kyiv in three days
2024: Kursk in three years

[ifgwelf]

Gerasimov has the facial expression of somebody who really doesn't want to fight.

[genghisdingus]

From my intuition, the invasion of Kursk does two things for Ukraine
1. It forces Russia to use more of their troops / resources guarding the Russian border rather than attacking Ukraine.
2. It gives them a section of land to bargain with. This can be either in peace agreements or through military strategy. Ukraine doesn't have to worry about losing this land as much as losing Ukrainian land. Therefore, they can deploy a fighting style which prioritizes causing Russian losses and retaining Ukrainian forces at the cost of losing land faster than usual.

[gansior]

Thats how it ends when every general and advisors always tell you yes and tell you only the things you want to hear

[connoroleary]

Imagine after the defeat in Stalingrad, the Nazi's complaining about Russian troops invading German territory 😂

[craigberger]

I think one thing that is hard to appreciate in this. Russia is a HUGE country. So is Ukraine. The Ukrainian frontline is hundreds of miles long and requires hundreds of thousands of troops to go on the offensive particularly without true air cover. Ukraine probably had their pick of potential spots and with satellite superiority courtesy of the US they could hone an intense offensive plan.

But the amazing thing is that Ukraine hijacked Russia's highway camera systems supercharging and invasion. This may likely tap out after taking 5-600 sq miles which in this war is an incredible feat.

[tvgerbil]

The Russian Kharkiv offensive ended more or less in July. It was meant to draw Ukrainian forces away from reinforcing Donbass. So Kyiv did send a strong mobile force to the Sumy/Kharkiv region to stablize the situation. The Russian strategy worked so well that the Russians wanted to believe the Ukrainian forces in Sumy was purely defensive. They didn't know the Ukrainians would take advantage of the concentration of several mobile brigades to launch a fast offensive of their own.

[Marbeary]

I heard in one interview Kurst was also the name of the Russian Submarine that sank and killed all its crew and was an embarrassment for Putin early on his term after other countries tried to help but Putin ignored. I guess fate has a great sense of humor for Putin.

[diomuda]

Russian Army claimed international law while invading another neighbour at the same time is comical.

[kstarks]

I hope videos like these get preserved for the future. It’s a great way of presenting an analysis.

[WorldsMostWated]

"Ukraine's invasion" is a word combination I never thought I'd see.