The point of Russia's meat wave tactics
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Russia takes huge losses with the so-called human meat wave attacks that they use on the frontline. In this video I discuss the meaning, and why the Russian commanders may see the casualties as a benefit rather than a problem.
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My armchair general take is that Russia is just flinging whatever resources they have left at the Ukrainians. They've lost their professional army, their artillery stockpiles, KA-52s, Wagner. Now all they have left are T-72s, BMPs, and bodies, so they're just hoping for any kind of win with that. It's not working out, and I'm really curious how long it'll be before they run out of soviet era armour and suicidal idiots, and what will happen next if they do.
Western media has become completely defeatist about Ukraine's prospects because Russia is still able to project strength. I honestly think that these tactics are a sign of desperation, and that things could start to fall apart quite suddenly for Russia. If for example, the US and EU pass more aid for Ukraine in early 2024, and Russia runs low on materiel, then it's not difficult to imagine. I'm hoping that the new ATACMS variant will knock out the Crimean bridge soon, and that a surprise offensive across the Dnieper could isolate Crimea and create a strategic disaster for Russia.
People who understand Putin say that he's a gambler, not a strategic genius. He's made so many bad bets since 2021, and I'm starting to hope that this latest roll of the dice using meat wave attacks could be the last time he's able to double down without serious consequences.
The weird thing about the war, at least in my little American bubble is that despite the "overwhelming feeling the west has to capitulate eastern Ukraine" or any of it is... Most people I talk to barely know there's a war going on over there. They certainly don't understand why. The war fatigue everyone keeps claiming does not apply. I'm starting to believe it's manufactured. Certainly, the politicians are fighting, because the Reps don't want the Dems to look like they defeated Russia. That would put them right back in office. Maybe things are different in Europe, but if I stay off the internet, there are no signs of what the media keeps talking about. Occasionally, I see a Ukrainian flag in a window, but I'd wager half the people who see that flag have no idea what country it is.
I think what you're discovering there is that politicians and the media don't really represent the interests of the people, and they'll happily puppeteer those people - also called constructing a public - to make whatever point suits them at any given moment.