Without the US and its supplies, Ukraine risks being run over. Russians feel like in April 1945 on the Seelow Heights, looking towards Berlin: they believe that victory is in their hands.
This was stated to NZZ by Markus Reisner, an Austrian military historian, officer in the General Staff of the Austrian Army and head of a department at the Military Academy in Vienna. According to him, Putin believes that time is now on his side.
„To put it bluntly: Russians feel like they were in April 1945 on the Seelow Heights, looking at Berlin. Russia can hold out for another two or three years, even though its arsenal is emptying“, said Reisner, referring to the Red Army's advance on Berlin and the last barrier before entering the capital of Nazi Germany during World War II.
The Austrian military expert pointed out that Vladimir Putin now seems much more confident in himself, writes focus.de.
„The most important thing that needs to be delivered to Ukraine is medium- and long-range air defense systems. "The brave Ukrainian defensive struggle on the front line is not decisive if it fails to protect its own population and maintain a functioning weapons production system," he said, highlighting Washington's vital assistance.
Markus Reisner also pointed out a common misconception related to Russia's war against Ukraine. "It is a big mistake to measure military success by territorial gains. This is a war of attrition. This means that success is not determined by territorial gains, but by the consumption of resources." According to the historian, if one side runs out of resources, its position on the front line can collapse very quickly.
The military expert and historian warns that time is on Moscow's side. "The crucial question is not how long the Russians can hold out, but how long Ukraine can hold out," Reisner told NZZ.
The reason for this is also the support that Putin receives from other countries. "Moscow is not fighting this war alone. China is supplying important military components, Iran is supplying drones, and North Korea is supplying millions of artillery shells. In addition, India is funneling money into Russia's pockets by buying raw materials," said Markus Reisner. China, in particular, has no interest (in stopping the war) because then Trump will turn his attention to Asia, he believes. According to the military expert, it is questionable whether Ukraine's arms industry and population can hold out in the long term.