Putin seeks gradual victories in Ukraine despite heavy casualties - ISW

Putin seeks gradual victories in Ukraine despite heavy casualties - ISW

Politics

The high casualties in Russia's war are a direct result of Vladimir Putin's determination to conquer all of Ukraine.

That’s according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

"The high casualties in Russia's war in Ukraine are the direct result of Putin's determination to conquer all of Ukraine using horrific and costly tactics, and Putin can dramatically reduce this killing any time he chooses," the report says.

It is noted that Russian troops are conducting highly attritional, infantry-led assaults along the frontline that result in high losses but only return disproportionately limited territorial gains.

Analysts recall that in June 2024, Putin said Russia was unable to secure a rapid victory, so Russian forces are instead pursuing a more gradual victory. At the time, Putin said that Russian forces were trying to “squeeze” Ukrainian forces “out of those territories that should be under Russian control.”

“Putin is committed to gradual, creeping gains at the expense of high losses and likely believes that these limited gains can set conditions over time for Russia to demand more Ukrainian territory during future peace negotiations or allow him to conquer Ukraine entirely. Putin's desire to continue this deadly approach is driving the high loss rates on the battlefield,” analysts write.

The report notes that Russia is also conducting nightly drone and missile strikes against rear Ukranian areas that are killing civilians and destroying and damaging Ukrainian civilian and energy infrastructure – further increasing the death toll in the war in Ukraine.

Tags

Related articles

EU Approves €1.9B for Moldova's Growth
On May 9, Moldova is set to sign its largest-ever financial agreement with the European Union, as Prime Minister Dorin Recean and EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos formalize a €1.9 billion Economic Growth Plan.
Romania and Moldova to Create Joint Visual Archive
On May 6, Romania and Moldova signed a Joint Declaration of Cooperation in Bucharest to create a Romania–Moldova Joint Visual Archive.
Türkiye, Iraq Launch Key Road Project
At a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani highlighted the strategic importance of the Türkiye-Iraq Development Road Project.
Greece Reaffirms Support for Cyprus
During an official visit to Cyprus on Thursday, President of the Hellenic Parliament, Constantine Tassoulas, addressed the House of Representatives, emphasizing Greece’s unwavering support for a just and lasting resolution to the Cyprus issue.
Patriarch Bartholomew Visits Athens
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Maximos Mansion on Thursday during the Patriarch's visit to Athens, marking the 150th anniversary of the Church of Aghios Nikolaos.
CEC Accredits 21 Observers for Local Elections
Moldova's Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has accredited 21 national observers to monitor the local elections scheduled for May 18, 2025.
Greece Targets Campus Violence
The Greek government is firmly committed to tackling delinquency on university campuses, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said in an interview with ERT1 on Thursday.