Western militaries aren't ready to fight wars of attrition like the Ukraine war, a former Army officer argues.
Western militaries haven't been preparing for that type of fighting, and it may need a change in strategy, resource management, and training.
AdvertisementVershinin noted that Western militaries have long seen attritional conflicts as exceptions to be avoided at all costs in favor of the shorter, maneuver-focused clashes.
A Ukrainian soldier loads a machine gun inside a trench amid Russia and Ukraine war in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on August 17, 2023.
According to Vershinin, Western forces could face personnel issues, as their NATO armies value professional and experienced non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and troops that, if taken out of battle, aren't easily replaceable.
Persons:
—, haven't, Alex Vershinin, Vershinin, Ignacio Marin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Valery Zaluzhny
Organizations:
Army, Service, US, Royal United Services Institute, NATO, Anadolu Agency, Getty, West, US Army, Archer Artillery, Roman
Locations:
Ukraine, China, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Russia, Donetsk Oblast, Vershinin, Soviet