The Russian Armed Forces are thought-about the fifth-largest navy on this planet however retired Lieutenant Common Ben Hodges, the previous commanding normal of U.S. Military forces in Europe, stated that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has uncovered its navy shortcomings.
"The weaknesses are being revealed when it comes to logistics, horrible upkeep, the truth that they do not have sergeants like we do that may implement self-discipline. That is the place we're seeing the distinction," he informed "CBS Mornings."
One other factor Hodges stated Putin underestimated was that the Ukrainian individuals have been going to combat again.
"Ukrainians have unending useful resource referred to as coronary heart, a will to defend their very own nation, and the Russian invaders which are murdering harmless civilians, do not have that. That is the important thing distinction proper here's what Ukrainian troopers and civilians, after they're doing versus what the Kremlin is sending into Ukraine," stated Hodges.
The resistance from Ukrainians and the city warfare and floor assaults from Ukrainian troopers are inflicting Putin and Russia's navy to vary their technique.
"On account of this, the Kremlin has modified their plan to a conflict of attrition which implies they are going to smash each city and metropolis to create a horrible refugee circulation, the weaponization of refugees, if you'll, to place strain on the Zelensky authorities and in addition on different European governments, who now have greater than two million Ukrainian refugees that they are caring for in Poland and different central and japanese European international locations," he stated.
Hodges, together with 27 international coverage consultants, signed an open letter supporting a no-fly zone over human corridors in Ukraine. Hodges stated he signed the letter to assist shield harmless Ukrainian individuals.
"I did signal that letter as a result of I used to be so anxious, I'm anxious to see us do one thing to cease the homicide, the deliberate focusing on of those civilians, harmless civilians," he stated.