Russian military refuses to learn

March 7, 2023

Despite numerous setbacks and blunders in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, the Russian military seems unable or unwilling to learn from its mistakes.

The latest example of this trend was the recent Battle of Kharkiv, where Russian forces suffered heavy casualties due to poor planning and execution. Despite clear signs of impending disaster, the Russian high command refused to change course or adapt to the changing battlefield conditions.

This failure to learn from past mistakes and adjust to new realities is raising concerns among military analysts and experts, who fear that the Russian military might be becoming increasingly ineffective and out of touch with modern warfare.

The catastrophic defeat near Ugledar revealed serious problems in the RF – ISW.

The losses of the Russians near the city of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region testify to the inability of the Russian army to learn from its mistakes , analysts at the ISW says. pic.twitter.com/Vy0Yrio7RT

— Eetu Seppänen🇫🇮🇺🇦 #NAFOFELLA (@EetuSeppnen1) March 2, 2023

The Battle of Kharkiv, which took place in late February 2023, was supposed to be a quick and decisive victory for the Russian Army. Instead, it turned into a bloody and protracted battle that saw Russian forces bogged down in a urban combat against a determined Ukrainian resistance.

According to reports, the Russian Army made several critical errors in its planning and execution, including underestimating the strength and capabilities of Ukrainian troops, failing to secure key strategic points, and relying too heavily on outdated tactics and equipment.

Despite these setbacks, however, the Russian high command refused to change course or adapt to the changing battlefield conditions. Instead, they doubled down on their existing strategy and refused to listen to the advice of lower-ranking officers and advisors. This failure to learn from past mistakes and adjust to new realities is not only costly in terms of lives and resources, but also undermines Russia’s reputation as a military superpower.

Military experts point out that this is not the first time Russia has displayed a stubborn refusal to learn from its mistakes. In the past, Russian military campaigns in Syria and Ukraine have also been marked by similar blunders and setbacks. Yet despite these failures, the Russian Army seems unable or unwilling to change its approach or adopt new technologies and tactics.

Some analysts argue that this trend is a result of the Russian military’s rigid command structure, which prioritizes loyalty and obedience over innovation and creativity. Others point to Russia’s long history of military triumphs, which may have instilled a sense of complacency and overconfidence among Russian military leaders.

Whatever the reasons may be, the failure of the Russian Army to learn from its mistakes is a cause for concern. As the world becomes more complex and unpredictable, military forces must be able to adapt and evolve to remain effective. If the Russian Army continues down this path of stubbornness and inflexibility, it risks becoming irrelevant in the face of new threats and challenges.