Monitoring Desk
MOSCOW: Defense minister of President Vladimir Putin vowed on Tuesday to build a deeper arsenal of weapons, enhance aviation technology to evade air defenses better, and bolster drone production after battlefield humiliations in Ukraine.
Since Putin sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, the once mighty army of a former superpower has been repeatedly outmaneuvered and outwitted by the smaller army of Ukraine, which is supported by its European allies and the United States.
The conflict has turned into a severe war of attrition that has killed and injured tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides, along with Ukrainian civilians, though there is no end in sight to the war, and both sides are re-arming as quickly as they can.
Russia focussing on developing military capabilities
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Russian top generals that to renew the army, they would have to consider the experience of fighting in the Syrian civil war — where Russia intervened with troops on the side of President Bashar Assad — and in Ukraine.
“We need to constantly systematize and analyze the experience of actions of our groups in Syria and Ukraine, and on that basis to draw up training programs for troops and plans for the supply of military equipment,” the minister said.
After meeting with the mothers of dead soldiers, Russian President directed Shoigu on January 2 to prepare a report on how military units are supplied, with details regarding weapons, equipment, and proposals on how to improve the work of defense ministry.
Shoigu said Russia would continue to enhance the production of its nuclear triad of ballistic missiles, strategic bombers, and submarines because such weapons were “the major guarantee of its sovereignty.”
On conventional weapons, the minister gave a remarkably frank analysis of where Russia required to improve.
Nationalist critics of Shoigu have repeatedly questioned why Russia failed to establish air superiority in Ukraine, why top military officials made such grave tactical mistakes and why Russian troops were sent to the battlefield without the right equipment, medical kits, and intelligence.
Shoigu said Russia would especially focus on the air force, build up its overall strike capabilities and improve training, command, and communication.
