War Duration Surpasses World War I: A Comparative Analysis
The article notes that the Russia-Ukraine war has already lasted longer than World War I, analyzing similarities such as failed blitzkriegs, attrition warfare, and technological transformation.
The full-scale war in Ukraine has exceeded the duration of World War I – 1,571 days compared to 1,568 days from 1914 to 1918. Author Mykhailo Dubyniansky emphasizes that both conflicts began with failed blitzkriegs. Germany's plan to quickly defeat France and Russia's operation in East Prussia collapsed, just as Russia's attempt to swiftly occupy Ukraine in 2022 failed.
Both wars turned into wars of attrition where technology played a decisive role. World War I introduced machine guns, tanks, poison gas, and submarines. Today, the dominant weapon is drones, which make the battlefield transparent and contribute to positional warfare, while also enabling strikes on distant targets, replacing blockades.
Unlike World War I, this conflict is not global – only Ukraine and Russia are directly affected. Both sides receive external support: Ukraine from the West, Russia from China and other countries. Surprisingly, both Ukraine and Russia have proven more resilient than the empires of 1917–1918 – they have not collapsed due to revolution, despite the longer war.
The author notes that people today are more accustomed to comfort, yet the war persists because it does not directly affect the daily lives of most populations. However, he warns that the end of an attrition war may be bitter not only for the losers but also for the winners, as happened after World War I.
