Is the Russian army too understaffed to fight? | Ben Hodges

“They have serious manpower problems right now. They’re outnumbered by Ukrainian troops.”
Former US army general Ben Hodges talks to Jenny Kleeman and Kait Borsay on Times Radio about potential Russian military shortages.
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[@aarhusnord]

Having to reach a certain military result on a certain day because of a victory back in 1945, is ridiculous in itself. Symbols and parading takes over from realism.

[@thomas316]

Russia hasn't fought a major conflict since the second world war. They've fought small, limited, contained conflicts like in Syria, Afghanistan and Chechnya (although they lost the first Chechen and Afghan wars) but Ukraine is much closer to being a peer adversary. They have little experience and a poor track record.

[@roqsteady5290]

@@thomas316 Yes and they haven't really been conflicts, just bullying with a vastly overwhelming disparity in forces.

[@thomascuvillier7250]

Symbols & Parading should be the name of their Defense Department tbh at this point xD

[@Briguy1027]

Perception is more important than reality, although this time I'm pretty sure that the message could backfire.

[@kuribayashi84]

Yeah, but it wasn’t a conventionally fought conflict against a regular Army. The War against Ukraine is the first time since WW2 they fought against a force more or less on the same level in terms of tech-level and Organisation. Come to think of it, when was the last time two Countries on a similar technological level fought directly against each other. I think we have to go back to the Iran-Iraq-War from the 80s for that.

[@ainivbalisi9589]

So far; Us retired General Hodges has the most valuable commentary regarding Russia invasion to Ukraine. Thank you General Hodges for your service #GlorytoUkraine

[@jasminebali8068]

Seems To Have Got Lost On The Way To The CNN Studios ! Though American MSM Seems To Have Become A Mouthpeice For White House Propaganda These Days!

[@wamu3985]

I think Ret. Col. Douglas McGregor has a more ROBUST, SOUND, BALANCED & FAIR assesment of what's been going on on the ground. The most important thing he said was that, NOBOODY KNOWS WHAT'S REALLY, ACTUALLY GOING ON!!!

[@checker3694]

What Service? He is not a waiter, he is a retired General, he is wrong, Russian will make things up, its population is isolated from the outside world, same as Americas were brainwashed and the Run up to the invasion of Iraq, the Russians will be brainwashed to a lesser degree, the young population has access to the outside world via VPN, the Americans didn't at the time, only the properganda the American cable news were pumping out in favour of the government.

[@1Smooth1]

General Jack Keane is much better IMO. Everything he’s says is spot on.

[@JP51ism]

@@mingouczjcz3800 But the campaign on Kyiv did collapse; the '40-mile column' lacked even fuel besides other equipment. Defense Minister Shoigu was lucky to reappear from the debacle, so bad was 'quarter-master' corruption; the Russian army does suffer officer-wise. No 'predictions': coarse artillery tactics by default are expected elsewhere.

[@doonewatts7155]

I have great respect for Ben Hodges. At the very beginning of the war he was forcefully calling for countries to send as much lethal aid to Ukraine as possible. At the time Western countries were dithering in shock. He is spot on again. Interstingly he lives in Frankfurt and from my own experience living in another country expands your perspective while allowing you to be more objective when viewing a situation

[@ChicagoDB]

@John Grigg - Ukrainian forces, particularly in the east, and south are both reporting surges and regularly increasing amounts of supplies, equipment and weaponry arriving daily…which means the UKRAINIANS have taken time to organize their logistical pipeline…and now push things through to where they need them. Don’t get me wrong…there is corruption. But not on the Russian scale. And you can be certain that in a war in which the populace is so focused…it’s going to be hard to get away with the things some might try to in peacetime…and most certain to mean severe penalties such as treason charges will be applied to those trying to do so. What is far more likely is that when the fighting ends…many will find ways to profit from weapons, supplies etc…including captured materiel that can be sold and money pocketed. Just as is happening in Afghanistan.

[@neodym5809]

@John Grigg out of interest, do you know any war were there was no shortage at the front?

[@nealwhite5602]

CIA we support truth and the banking system .......also northrup grumen

[@michellewhaley3489]

@John Grigg I agree. I just saw an interview with retired US and Canadian soldiers fighting on the front lines wondering where all the heavy equipment is. They are not getting what is being sent. Definitely a logistics issue and Russian interference.

[@metalmicky]

An onlooker always sees most.

[@LR-jk2jk]

In a totalitarian system the fight against an enemy never stops, even if the enemy is imagined. This 'explains ' the hardships to its people and helps the regime to survive.

[@tomdonohue8834]

A

[@E-2.71]

Putin thinks all countries are "His" enemies, he is afraid of losing power over his people, his long time as a KGB Agent has made him Paranoid. Russia has never had an Honorable Election, when the government controls vote counting and you imprison the competition, you're power hungry and Paranoid!!! Sounds Trump to you?

[@dirkkarmel5209]

Good description of the us. Thanks for confirming.

[@kurtwinslow2670]

@@dirkkarmel5209 Though the USA is heading towards a totalitarian state. Our wars were predominately fought to enrich the military industrial complex.

[@joeytirado7704]

Classic Orwell

[@alecharper515]

How refreshing… a journalist not shrill, but intelligent, composed, and respectful. 👍🏼

[@j.granger1120]

She's good, I'll give you that.

[@nealwhite5602]

CIA nothing but the best .....

[@mitanni0]

Plus, grinning / smirking at the exactly appropriate times!

[@qualicumwilson5168]

"How refreshing… a journalist not shrill, but intelligent, composed, and respectful." Not really. All one has to do is listen to BBC and DW and not Alex Jones, Fox news and the rest of those right wing nut jobs. (basically their MO is, if you do not want to hear what someone wants to say, continuously interrupt them.)

[@hejrey6921]

I have watched many commentators on the conflict, Ben Hodges seem to be the by far most accurate and intelligent

[@philbydoodle6199]

Totally agree

[@sarfaraz.hosseini]

Andrew Neil did 2 excellent interviews on Russia in his new podcast "The Backstory: With Andrew Neil", 1 with General Petraeus, former CIA Director, and Supreme Commander of coalition forces who made Iraq stable, and 1 with Fiona Hill, Russia expert, former national security advisor.

[@jasminebali8068]

"Made Iraq Stable"?? Rise Of ISIS?

[@chrism415]

@@sarfaraz.hosseini - from this we can see that you are a victim of too much TV commentary. How will you ever learn the truth?

[@emiliat.5881]

By declaring war to Ukraine putin acknowledges that Ukraine is an independent country!

[@michaelthomas6280]

He didn't declare war. It is a special military operation

[@emiliat.5881]

@@michaelthomas6280 I know but will Putin declare war tomorrow then .......

[@Cubcariboo]

This is a very good point! I have not heard this perspective before. Interesting food for thought.

Good point!

[@helveticaification]

The problem is how to convince putin and his millions of sheeple of that logic - Trying it would get you sent to the Gulag.

[@pinky6758]

Whatever the situation in Ukraine, Putin will have NO PROBLEMS spinning this: Because contradicting the russian government is punishable by jail in Russia and therefore nobody will dare to say otherwise.

[@ags4058]

Pinky... you have blessed with talent to predict... keep going man.. LOL..

[@nittowobs8701]

Feeding with hoax and terror, you mean?

[@piked261]

In the UK it will soon be illegal to make too much noise when demonstrating😂

[@sess5206]

And then, of course, there are putin's morons at Fix News. I think there's one here already...

[@Gudang9]

Snowden have other oppinion for this.

[@davidbeattie4294]

General Hodges' comment regarding Putin's health was particularly valuable. Too much air is being given to meaningless speculation he might be forced to vacate power. Assume he's going to be in charge for the foreseeable future and get on with with the task of defeating him.

[@inkydoug]

Right. Cancer treatments these days are really effective, I know. Typically, a first bout of cancer will be treated into complete remission for a few years. Hoping cancer will take him out is wishful thinking.

[@helveticaification]

@@inkydoug But irresistible!

[@jasminebali8068]

Health Expert AND Military Expert! Generall Know ALL!

[@jimdelong987]

Always like to hear Ben Hodges perspective on russian war against Ukraine.

[@jasminebali8068]

Another Joe Biden Mouthpiece Justifying Why Western Taxpayers Hard Earned Money Is Being Spent On A Country That Most Never Thought About! Sure Ukrainian Taxpayers Would Do The Same For Britain!

[@whysoserious8666]

The Russian Army has to be the first organization in history without enough middle management.

[@aaronbaker2186]

Russia desperately wants to build an NCO corps like the US and other western militaries have. The problem is that to get NCOs you have to get troops to reenlist. Thanks to corruption the food, housing, etc for troops is horrible. A culture of brutal hazing makes it far worse. No one wants to stay longer. So most of Russia's army are minorities tricked into signing up and who are in their first tour. Edit, I mention that they are minorities because they often have been mistreated, or at least been looked down on, by ethnic Russians. Then they were sent into Ukraine and told the ethnic Russians, who they hate, are the enemy. There is a reason for all the war crimes and targeting of civilians.

[@badrobotsanta]

Lol

[@chrisvowell2890]

Without ANY middle management!

[@ThePsiclone]

I'd like this comment twice if I could.

[@abbottshaull9831]

It never had middle management much less any lower management. Only orders that count are from the top.

[@alora1105]

The Russian leadership does not have to give its citizens a better future so they have to show a presentation about what happened 80 years ago. Going to Russia is crazy.

[@mikenekosama4426]

I'd never go to Russia, or any BS country, that would indiscriminantly arrest me

[@rossorlandi5173]

That's why they built the Iron Curtain 30+ years ago! TO KEEP THEIR POPULATION FROM LEARNING ABOUT FREEDOMS!!!💪🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇹🇬🇧🇫🇷🇯🇵

[@allanmcinnes4765]

Exactamundo. Putin is financing this war on a cash flow basis depending on sales of gas and oil to the West. He gets very little income from taxation of the Russian population for the simple reason that the vast majority have nothing left to give.

[@maxwellchikara6837]

What are you saying?

[@jaykellett2327]

Russians are just as brainwashed as the North Koreans. Just the fact that your country does not allow access to foreign TV should tell you something folks!

[@thomas316]

If Russia declares war it can mobilise a lot of men but they are mostly fresh conscripts they'd be throwing into the meat grinder. Also, given Russia can't run the basic logistics of the army they fielded in Ukraine, it would be a miserable experience and likely not long before hunger set in.

[@mikitadou]

Typical Russian moment. Can't hold logistical operations, but is ready to send countless numbers of 18 year olds with no training to the slaughter house.

[@keithsteele5580]

More cannon fodder

[@anteeko]

Yeah the limiting factor is logistic

[@Briguy1027]

I would think another limiting factor is that the soldiers wouldn't be interested in going to Ukraine to die. Especially like General Hodges said, they wouldn't be equipped very well.

[@milkybar06]

The quality of the equipment and maintenance of it is bad.

[@VirrealWorld]

Let's be clear about something Russia. If we took Nukes off the table for both sides, you couldn't beat the Nebraska State Guard, much less the USA. NATO? GTFOH.

[@elvisrose6588]

Ha!ha! True!🤣👍🇯🇲

[@warrenreid1441]

Probably couldn’t beat the SAS from NZ BRITAIN and AUSTRALIA

[@martinjohnson9316]

Great to see excellent interviewing and a competent and thoughtful interviewee. Thank you Times radio!

[@jasminebali8068]

Missed That!

[@dad_jokes_4ever226]

Really good interviewer .. intelligent and concise questions and doesn't interrupt the guest .

[@andrej8861]

A really nice interview with a knowledgeable person. Thank you

[@jasminebali8068]

"NICE"?

[@alien4422]

It is always good to hear US army General Ben Hodge's professional analysis.

[@tman1942]

I agree!!

[@dougiesherwin9591]

Yes, it's wonderful to hear a real mass-murderer explain things.

[@DeepstateAnnex]

The United States spends ten billion dollars a year maintaining our nuclear Arsenal. Did the oligarchs and Putin spend that kind of money on maintaining Warheads they would likely never use or did they buy mega yachts? The neutron generators on nuclear weapons used tritium. tritium has a half-life of 12.5 years which means you need to replace the neutron generators in the weapons every couple years if they didn't rotate the tires on the vehicles you think they would replace the neutron generators?

[@jasperhorace7147]

Let us hope we never find out, however it is interesting to speculate on it.

[@kevynnedallaire1815]

If you can forgive me, that is actually quite funny to think about. Imagine if he *did* launch TNMs but they were duds!

[@MeatlBeastShred]

@@kevynnedallaire1815 There is an alarming and hilarious number of videos of Russian missile launches going hopelessly amiss. The above statements don't even take into account the enormous amount of required upkeep of the missile silos themselves, which is another crucial step in maintaining the viable readiness of nuclear arms. Lest we forget that the Kursk nuclear submarine, the continuing display of Russia's military strength, sank because a torpedo exploded in it's tube due to chronic neglect. Which was the reason Russia let 200 sailors freeze and drown rather than let Europe pull up the ship: So nobody would see how incompetent they are.

[@singlewhitefemale1707]

Good point.

[@cliffperkin63]

No way ,they just use them as scary monsters to pull out when anyone steps up to them on the battlefield!!!🎀🥇🌹💮🌻🗝️✌️🌸🏠🏵️🇦🇺💐💍🎁🎉🎯🪙🪅⚔️😄💯💎🌍

[@oldgreybeard2507]

Massive shortage of cardboard in the Moscow region. The Russians have been using huge amounts to make cardboard tanks and missiles ready for Monday. There are worries about the weather forecast because if it rains all the emulsion paint will wash off. Reports that the department stores have been raided for mannequins to be dressed in military uniforms.

[@sueouzounis9439]

👯‍♀️👯🤹‍♂️🦼🦽⛵️🎈🃏🪆🎠🛴🛶 Putins parade, everyone join in

[@rickarnold6704]

Haha a clown show!

[@justiceforall2054]

May 9 is the Black day of Russia losing 23000 soldiers in 2 months and not making progress in Donbass region

[@terrencekane8203]

It will be more like a funeral procession.

[@tomf4087]

Yeah that's nonsense. They will have stores of tanks. Even if they are older tanks not really used.

[@corazonagoncillo2699]

The war in Ukraine has shown that the West has greatly underestimated Putin's capability for brutality and the world has overestimated the grandeur of the Russian Army.

[@HarrySmith-hr2iv]

Even The Pope and his world-wide Archbishops have declared support Mr Putin.

[@WizInsight108]

@@HarrySmith-hr2iv I guess it reminds the Vatican of the crusade.

[@deankruse2891]

@@HarrySmith-hr2iv have they?

[@frankstonrat]

@@HarrySmith-hr2iv LOL, that's a total lie. The pope warned the deluded Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, not to be “Putin’s altar boy” and justify Putin's moronic and brutal invasion of Ukraine.

[@mrb.5610]

No ... we could see what that bstrd was capable of in Aleppo.

[@nicholassmith479]

A huge different between WWII and this war is that in WWII history is the vast amount of American and British support. The opposite is true in this war.

[@timbow614]

Now Putins finds himself in the role of the Austrian postcard painter.

[@gintasvilkelis2544]

Also, Ukrainians were fighting on the _Russian_ side last time...

[@jasminebali8068]

Sorry Many Ukrainians Also Fought With The Nazis!

[@andrespajo4911]

@@jasminebali8068 Gut, Voldemort, Gut

[@nicholassmith479]

@@jasminebali8068 Considering the treatment the Ukrainians received from Stalin and Soviet Russia during the Holodomor, who could blame the Ukrainians at the time joining the Germans when the Nazis invaded Russia in WWII. Always a complicated history in that part of the world. One can alway find a reason to hate one another.

[@hasanchoudhury5401]

Excellent factual analysis and discussions by Gen Hodges ! Love his clear and practical insights.

[@chrislambe400]

they will parade all the stolen Ukrainian dishwashers and washing machines 😂😂

[@kleinweichkleinweich]

but but but ... what about the toilets?

[@WizInsight108]

@@kleinweichkleinweich takes too much water to flush. 😆

[@WizInsight108]

Best comment. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Pepinyo33]

yeah and all the John Deere harvesters and tractors they stole and transported all the way to Chechnia only to find out they have been disabled remotely and are now useless.

[@boink800]

As well as those stolen John Deere tractors (which they cannot use).

[@ChicagoDB]

Ben Hodges is one of the best…

[@justmr9553]

Just get the correct weapons in the quantities needed for Ukraine in their hands ASAP, then they will be able to drive Russian forces back

[@stevestevens9046]

Agree 💯

[@jasminebali8068]

Everyone Is A Military Expert Now!

[@chuckkottke]

Just a note: From one Russian podcaster, the victory day celebration has become nothing more than a pep rally for Putin, who is becoming quietly despised by more and more Russian people.

[@Fuuq2]

Let us pray it is just that.

[@chrism415]

I know you believe that because you got it from the mainstream media. But go over to the alternative news sites and you'll find Putin has something like an 87% approval rating and the aggression of the West just brings Russians closer together in support of Putin and the war. So who do you believe? After all the lies of the last two years, you should be seeing a pattern.

[@Broatch6]

but almost every dope watching the parade will support this monster . Betcha quite a lot of the soldiers in the parade will just wish he'd stop getting them all killed .

[@jamesp8569]

@@chrism415 you seem to be a Putin fan boy from your various peppered comments on this site, which is fine, because we currently live in liberal democracies, with all of their flaws. Just don't veer off script when you visit or return to mother Russia. Their "managed" democracy is a little less forgiving.

[@chrism415]

@@jamesp8569 Maybe, maybe not. However, the true enemy is not out there in Moscow. Th enemy is amongst us and they are forgiving at all..

[@saenmacdonald7015]

Glory to Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@Fuuq2]

Slava Ukraini!

[@jasminebali8068]

Think We Have Moved On From The Virtue Signalling!

[@macmcleod1188]

No sighting of General Gerasimov since his "minor schrapnel wound". Will we see him tomorrow? Will he stand and walk?

[@WizInsight108]

He probably is under the ground.

[@keegan773]

He’s having his wooden leg fitted at the moment.

[@leonieromanes7265]

He's probably in Russian Gitmo, for shooting himself in the leg.

[@haroldbell213]

They will stuff him and put him in a staff car

[@stuartbeard966]

Corpses don't walk very well but they might have his embalmed carcass in a car for the parade with some poor kid waving it's arm about.

[@maaruth5774]

I think Ukraine should celebrate 24th February failure day for Russia

[@heybaekie4219]

Yes they should, absolutely do that's 👍👍👍

[@Pifagorass]

Nothing to celebrate on the ground...

[@TheBandit7613]

I'd love to see a few cruise missiles participate in their little parade.

[@chrism415]

Dream on. Try asking yourself why any country in the West is risking nuclear Armageddon over Ukraine? Or why none of our politicians are interested in diplomacy? Think about that for a while. Or perhaps you fancy being an irradiated ember?.

[@31Blaize]

The Russian military choice of red armbands with a white circle and a black symbol within for the practice parade sessions was... interesting.

[@deankruse2891]

yeah, coupled with their obsession with fighting nazis, it all seems too bizzare.

[@leonieromanes7265]

They know exactly what they are, they're trolling their victims.

[@timbow614]

Yes, it is also a good sight for Ukrainian snipers.

[@chopperaxon6171]

Red armbands with a Zed on. Easy to photo shop?

[@timbow614]

Is produced as a patch.

[@williampfaffjr7684]

NOT to understaffed to DIE !! "Glory to Ukraine!" Слава Україні ! 🇺🇦 ♥ 🌻 🙏

[@JamesC785]

Happy Victory Day in Europe everyone !! The day celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces on Tuesday, 8 May 1945.

[@highphysics3617]

Yess indeed. VICTORY IN EUROPE...VE Day. ALL... Allied Forces👍✌✌✌✌

[@mikenekosama4426]

@@highphysics3617 The world was different back then. Today the former enemies of the Allies have all changed for the better and are now Allies, while two former Allies (Russia, China) are now enemies.

[@highphysics3617]

@@mikenekosama4426 You are correct of course. I was letting off a bit of steam. Not terribly ladylike I admit,but,speaking for my dear Dad .SLAVA UKRAINI💛💜

[@mikenekosama4426]

@@highphysics3617 No need to apologize! Goodness knows, I have been letting off a lot of steam because of what the orcs are doing to Ukraine, and their brain-dead fans who are supporting Putin's war crimes

[@Emlizardo]

Great interview as usual from Times Radio.

[@_Churchy]

Watching this on May 10th...he nailed it. Ben Hodges knows his stuff.

[@hughmckendrick3018]

His points about NCOs and Russia's lack of them and the general staff being taken out with the General. Not having any military background myself, would not have thought about this. Good insight provided.

[@barryrammer7906]

Absolutely

[@ceetee9659]

Quincy, Florida! Just found out that General Hodges is from my hometown. Damn it's a small world

[@grumpyoldsodinacellar4065]

If they mobilise, maybe they'll try the Stalingrad tactic of "one man gets a rifle and the next man gets 5 bullets" ...........

[@leonieromanes7265]

One man gets expired field rations, the next man gets a broken spork.

[@zxb995511]

There are pictures of some Russian soldiers un Ukraine with actual Mosin Nagant rifles made by the soviets in the 1920s....so your comment about Stalingrad might not be too far off.

[@jasminebali8068]

Yet Boy Soliders In Africa Have AK47!

[@dalb.790]

@@zxb995511 I saw the video of captured russin weapons and was amazed they were the Mosin Nagants , that is WWI vintage and before weapons.

[@justhere4thecomm3nt54]

From old interviews I’ve seen he’s gripped the table for years, bit of research from the times wouldn’t go amiss here. The speculation about his health seems pretty tenuous

[@eddiel7635]

On balance it’s probably true… whist your looking at the old videos you might want to take note of a clear and obvious deterioration of health.

[@justhere4thecomm3nt54]

@@eddiel7635 based on what?

[@jasperhorace7147]

@@justhere4thecomm3nt54 Botox?

[@terrencekane8203]

12 Russian generals have been reassigned. They are now Ukrainian fertilizer.

[@kleinweichkleinweich]

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@WizInsight108]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@frankdegroot8860]

Now I understand why so many people turn against their Russian friends, or past friends

[@arturo0727]

Incredible this general got everything correctly in regards to Putin's speech content, almost to the Tee. This is a post post Putin speech comment. You guys should invite him more often.

[@chuckstewart7331]

When you get a large number of command officers killed ( sacrificed) you destroy your command structure, and demoralize your troops ( if a major general is cannon fodder, rank and file troops know there is no hope for them …..)

[@SnoopyDoofie]

About the best thing that could happen tomorrow is for Ukraine to sink Russia's latest flag ship during parades.

[@Fuuq2]

They shot another the other day in th Black Sea, let's go for #3!

[@stuartbeard966]

I want to see Ukraine blow up a rather large bridge.

[@dguy321]

The Russian people might never find out.

[@MC-BigCara]

Watching this 2 days later and he was pretty much spot on

[@rickb_NYC]

The more knowledgable, the more understated.

[@kuncahyomoenasir7816]

The victory day parade, for Ukraine it will be legitimate target to be sabotaged or missiled

[@SurfinScientist]

That would be a bad move from a PR point of view.

[@highphysics3617]

Wouldn't it be a good day to blow up the Kerch Bridge?🤣🚀🚀🚀Oh! Yeah!! SLAVA UKRAINI🟦🟨

Some of the russians opposed to putin could turn the parade into a fiasco.

[@gregmonks9708]

Why does their Victory Day march sound like the Star Wars Imperial March whenever Darth Vader makes an appearance?

[@christopherellis2663]

Daft Invader

[@albertlugassy3610]

Thanks for the commander input.

[@_h__22]

Victory day without the victory

[@oceanaxim]

SLAVA UKRAYINI! 🌻SLAVA HEROYAM!

[@StreetGang2017]

I hear the Air Force flyover this year will consist of pigeon fleets with propeller beanies with the "Z" painted on the side.The PRC donated the beanies so they are one use only before they fall apart.😁

[@chadandrew2935]

Why not have our Blue Angel jets flyover with them. Lol

[@Fuuq2]

Russian war effort is draining their economic budget. They will have to use World War 1 biplanes, repainted Cessna 172's to look miltary fearsome, model airplanes and kites to save on aircraft fuel for their military parade.

[@richardcory5024]

The trouble is that if Putin says they are now "up against big bad NATO" and they don't actually show up to the battlefield but he still loses, it is not going to look good. Having started WW2 2.0 he has ended up with WW1 2.0 and in the 1.0 version, Russia lost.

[@marygreer2257]

Great questions! Thanks

[@phillee2814]

How quickly they forget that Soviet victory over Germany in WW2 was achieved with many US and UK weapons shipped to them on the arctic convoys into Murmansk - an artery so vital that the Kreigsmarine committed their two largest remaining warships - Scharnhorst and Tirpitz - to menacing. And twice as many Ukrainians were killed in that victory as Russians. There's gratitude for you.

[@bbmatthews2002]

General mobilization of less qualified reservists to replace the front line professionals who’ve been disabled or killed, using worse-maintained equipment than what they have already lost. Yeah, that should work.

[@Nekotaku_TV]

Good things to hear.

[@zazazazo4556]

Thank you general . Very wise said

[@MrHansklamer]

Meanwhile - there is still ONE man on the face of this earth who is able to stop this war [sorry: military action] IMMEDIATELY; yess: immediately, from today to yesterday. And that man is Mr. Putin, he is able to stop this actions in Ukraine in a wink of an eye. Let he take accountability and responsibility. With withdrawal of Russian troops, and release of "new liberated places".

[@JLee-rt6ve]

Ironic that "Victory" Day coincides with Mother's Day this year (in North America anyway). No victory and no gift to Ukrainian and Russian mothers.

[@Gmill3r]

Wrong, v day is Monday may 9th, Mother’s Day is Sunday may 8th….

[@JLee-rt6ve]

@@Gmill3r Oops.

[@chopperaxon6171]

Excellent interview form both sides.

[@marydupree27]

im always looking for ben hodges interviews

[@justiceforall2054]

May 9 is the Black day of Russia losing 23000 soldiers in 2 months and not making progress in Donbass region

[@sandramcpherson1819]

Praying for Ukraine pray that the Lord would send confusion into the Russian troops and that they will flee in fear. Praying that God would breakthrough and deliver the soldiers of Mariupol and may God be given the glory.

[@jasminebali8068]

Good Luck With That Lot!

[@BillMorganChannel]

General Dwight Eisenhower: "Amateurs talk about strategy, professionals talk about supply."

[@jonathanhampshire8405]

great interview

[@lexslate2476]

An additional factor pressuring Russia to attack sooner than they were really ready for (not that they have the military capacity to hold Ukraine even at the best of times) is that NATO allies have artillery en route to the Ukrainian forces, and once they're in place and ready to fire the Ukrainian forces are going to be in a better position to go on the offensive. Russia's only hope here is for Ukraine's will to fight or NATO's military budget to run out before Russia's do. Meaning that Russia has no hope of victory here, all they're doing is destroying cities and murdering civilians while accomplishing nothing of any value.

[@pioneernut7487]

Nato said they can support Ukraine for years. Do you think usa Will run out of weapons?? Its Russia that Will Fall sooner

[@lexslate2476]

@@pioneernut7487 Ukraine's will to fight is probably the more important factor. And they're not going to give up because they are very much aware that losing this war means extermination. By comparison, NATO's functionally infinite military budget is a secondary concern.

[@chrism415]

Extraordinary blunderings in the darkness. FYI: Russia already won.

[@johnstirling6597]

Don't fret too much, the Ukrainians are "streamlining" the Russian upper ranks. 😂

[@vivette8944]

A good interview.

[@sawtooth808]

I can answer that in one word, yes.

[@Pierluigi_Di_Lorenzo]

Weeks ago they were out of ammo, now they are out of manpower.

[@eddiel7635]

Not out of ammo or man power, they were low on stocks of precision weapons, which has been shown to be true. Now they don’t have enough man power to achieve their stated aims, as has been shown to be true. Nice try to misrepresent what the commentary was though. 🤡

[@Pierluigi_Di_Lorenzo]

@@eddiel7635 nope, in march he didn't say precision weapons, Hodges said 'out of ammunition'. It's on YT/Fox News. Nice try to misrepresent what he has said though. 🐑

[@eddiel7635]

@@Pierluigi_Di_Lorenzo yes, that’s what everyone has been saying you clown. Nobody has been saying the Russians were running out of none guided ammo. Why are you Russian trolls so thick, aren’t you meant to be the best educated over there? 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@zollen123]

Don' worry, I am sure Putin has an army of makeup artist would make a cadaver looks lively for the victory day.

[@lexas1]

Hodges is always spot on.

[@kirkstable]

Interesting talk, I find it interesting also that he is in Estonia! How cool

[@danchanner7887]

No NCOs? They've already lost.

[@me38443]

If there are any disputed areas on the Chinese/Russian border just wondering when China might decide to take advantage and move to take these areas into greater China.

[@ShipCreek]

They do have a disputed border and I have been thinking the same thing. When will the Chinese pounce?

[@philbydoodle6199]

Awesome

[@veronicalogotheti5416]

Thanks to all

[@AbraCadabra619]

Is this the mighty Russian army everyone was worried about, it’s like they don’t know what their doing untrained/undisciplined cannon fodder.

[@chrism415]

If you were on the battlefield you would find a completely different (and surprising) reality. As it is, you are being fed insane fantasies through the subliminal messaging of your TV screen. Therein lies the problem.

[@paulcorrigan3753]

Lieutenant-General Hodges and General Jack Keane would be the best of the retired American officers to offer comment on this war. Each picked within a day or two of its starting that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was stumbling. The other thing that struck me was their professional disbelief at how ineptly it was being done. It seemed, too, particularly with Gen Keane, they showed almost dismay at how Russia's generals - particularly Sergei Shoigu and Vitaly Gerasimov - were showing little to no care for the thousands of young men they were sending into battle.

[@edotoole]

She speaks very nicely.

[@bartiboguesunset3167]

Lets hope so

[@govinda102000]

Great update. Thanks for the video. In time, enough of putler's cabinet and citizens will acknowledge their error.

[@nattygsbord]

What is the normal ratio of number of men per General for an army? And what is Russias number? The ideal is to have a low number of men per General and a very skilled base of officers I guess. So if one General dies, then can another take over and lead a twice as large group of men as normal without a problem. But if your army is understaffed and your officers are incompetent... then will of course the leadership be missing, and confusion is created. At a workplace will people take things into their own hands if there are no chief that offers leadership. But in the Russian military are people rather living in fear of taking any actions, so they choose to do nothing, and just sit down and being inactive in a suicidal way while the enemy is picking everyone off.

[@vivette8944]

This is a very good man

[@scottmacpherson2352]

I have I lot of respect for general Hodge

[@johndias1771]

Hopefully Ukraine will be able to disrupt the victory day celebration tomorrow in Russia.

[@kunsthooligan_vegan]

Wie immer ein super Interview. Ben Hodges ist sowieso großartig. Und der Verweis auf Fidel Castro war sehr lustig und auch passend. Man weiß es einfach nicht wirklich. Ihr hattet neulich gefragt, wen Ihr noch interviewen könntet. Hier eine Empfehlung: Roderich Kiesewetter. Einen schönen Sonntag und hoffen wir, dass die Gefahr, die von Russlands Putin ausgeht, weiterhin gut gemanagt wird. Slava Ukraini

[@jackbean1166]

You people need to listen to this man.

[@JasLoney]

Wow, what a great interviewer with just magnificent questions to the former US general. I have subscribed ... so good to hear an interviewer well-founded in the background of issues, not just some 'American-style' pretty face designed to satisfy some kind of lilberal agenda (I am a Liberal LOL). Please keep it up and I will be back often and tell my friends of what trenchant, incisive and enlightening interview(s) we can find on this channel! THANK YOU!

[@jasminebali8068]

You Got The Job!

[@Symmetry77]

At this rate Putin and Lavrov will find themselves in the trenches by the end of the year

[@u.v.s.5583]

The real problem is that they are too understaffed to stage a good parade. Killing hundred thousand civilians is welcome for a putin, losing 25k troops is completely fine, but not having a good parade is a bloody tragedy!!!

[@christinejackson3922]

Very interesting and informative channel thanks

[@hardyhobbs]

perfect

[@joelmccoy9969]

The Russians defeated the 'Wehrmacht' not the Nazi's. Most of the Nazi's got off scott-free except for those the Russians captured or emigrated to Argentina.

[@mikeoglen6848]

Are we not allowed to say 'Germans' these days?

[@shadrana1]

It would be awkward to say the least if the wooden missiles in Red Square were damaged by the Ukrainians.It would be a laugh if the 'metal' powerhouses were shown to be wood by a small explosion in the middle of the square.

[@jasminebali8068]

Chuckle Brother!

[@angiecottrell1140]

So interesting to come to this after the event and hear Gen Hodges predicting the future so accurately.

[@himoffthequakeroatbox4320]

If they weren't before, they sure are now! TY,IHAW.

[@jessebbutanda586]

All lies about Ukraine, pathetic conduct. Shows those Russians are pathetic in their egregious conduct towards innocent kids and adults, what they did was terrible.