Slaidiņš: The Side With the More Resilient Society, Not the One Capturing Village Ruins, Will Win Ukraine War
Major Jānis Slaidiņš of the Latvian National Guard staff says the success of Operation "Vivaldi" near Lyman will not change the outcome of the war. In his view, the winner will be the country whose society proves more resilient in the long run.
News about the success of Operation "Vivaldi" on the front near Lyman has recently cheered supporters of Ukraine. The operation reportedly regained territory, disrupted the occupiers' plans to encircle the fortress cities of Donbas and led to the capture of about 250 prisoners.
However, Major Jānis Slaidiņš, an officer of the National Guard staff, stressed on the programme "Komandcentrs" that although the results are welcome, the operation will not change the outcome of the war. In his view, the war will be won by the country whose society is more resilient over the long term. The winner will not be the one who takes the ruins of some village in Donbas.
Russia's doctrine
Mārcis Balodis, senior researcher at the Eastern European Policy Research Centre, noted that Russia's approach relies on exactly this kind of societal endurance. He explained that Russian doctrine calls for destroying Ukraine's infrastructure so that, with the help of a harsh winter, Ukrainian society becomes ready to yield to the aggressor.
The remarks of both experts underline that the course of the war is shaped not only by events on the front, but also by the population's ability to withstand prolonged pressure.
