"Conflict Analysis Podcast": Christian Moelling on Putin's Different Approach to War casualties
- By Steffen Gassel
- ⏱️ - 2 Min
Putin's assessment of Russian losses deviates from our standards, claims expert on Russia. - Russia's specialist in blood customs remarks: "Putin evaluates actions dissimilarly than we typically do"
From Ukraine to Yemen, underdog warring parties often catch high-tech adversaries off guard, showcasing unexpected vulnerabilities. In April, Yemeni drones pestered a US aircraft carrier, while Ukrainian sea drones armed with reappropriated rockets recently took down modern Russian fighter jets in the eastern Black Sea. Security expert Christian Moelling, Senior Advisor at the Brussels think tank European Policy Center, discusses these asymmetric battles in the latest edition of the stern podcast "Conflict Analysis - International".
Moelling: Putin's Overarching Focus on Political Survival
This phenomenon results from a fusion of traditional and innovative technologies on the battlefield. As Moelling explains, "Wars are now fought simultaneously across various dimensions." One side might employ classic, manned combat aircraft or warships, while the opposing force may only wield less sophisticated systems, but can inflict damage if they exploit their enemy's weak points. Moreover, the "price of a kill" – the cost-benefit analysis in warfare – varies significantly among combatants. The hefty casualties suffered by the Russian army in Ukraine highlight this disparity, according to Moelling, who comments, "Putin operates by completely different standards than we do." "[He] prioritizes personal political survival over casualties," Moelling says bluntly.
Moelling expresses deep concern over the fraught standoff between nuclear powers India and Pakistan, drawing attention to the loss of modern French Rafale fighter jets on the Indian side. Moelling suggests inexperienced military operators may have played a role in this setback, increasing the likelihood of miscalculations and unintentional escalation. "Such reckless operations carry the risk of devastating consequences," Moelling warns.
- Vladimir Putin
- Russia
- Drone
- US aircraft carrier
- India
- Pakistan
- Yemen
The Commission has also taken steps to maintain the EU's external relations with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, as the focus on politics, war-and-conflicts, and general news becomes more prominent. In this context, warring parties, such as Yemeni drones that pestered a US aircraft carrier, and Ukrainian sea drones armed with reappropriated rockets, have shown unexpected vulnerabilities in high-tech adversaries. Security expert Christian Moelling warns that the price of a kill in warfare varies significantly among combatants, with Putin prioritizing personal political survival over casualties, even in the midst of conflicts like the one in Ukraine. Moelling has expressed concern over the standoff between nuclear powers India and Pakistan, especially in light of the loss of modern French Rafale fighter jets on the Indian side, which he suggests may have resulted from inexperienced military operators.
