Simantik Dowerah
un Tzu's The Art of War is a timeless guide on military strategy emphasising the balance between offence and defence, the importance of adaptability and the significance of psychological warfare. Russia's recent military strategy and the vulnerabilities it has exposed show how a disproportionate focus on offence could lead to defensive weaknesses that Ukraine is now exploiting.
Overextension and the principle of strategic flexibility
Sun Tzu cautions against overextension noting that "he who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious." Russia's military campaign characterised by a rapid offensive push into Ukraine has demonstrated a clear overextension of its forces. Initially, Russia's strategy involved a multi-front assault aiming for quick and decisive victories. The goal was to overwhelm Ukrainian defences through sheer force capturing key cities like Kyiv and rapidly destabilising the Ukrainian government.
However, this strategy did not account for the resilience of Ukrainian forces or the logistical challenges of sustaining such a broad offensive. As the conflict dragged on, Russia found itself in a situation where its forces were spread thin, supply lines were overextended and the ability to effectively defend its own territory was compromised. This is precisely what Sun Tzu warns against—failing to maintain flexibility and overextending one's reach can lead to unforeseen vulnerabilities.
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