Russia’s Combat Compliance Problem: Why Moscow Has Struggled in Bakhmut and Elsewhere

[@kevinlove4356]

Combat compliance is an issue that has been extensively studied in Western armies. As a retired Canadian Army officer, I can testify as to what the Canadian Army believes does and does not work. Very much in the "not work" category are appeals to country or ideology. Few people will die for an abstract idea such as "democracy." Somewhere in the middle are things like pay, rations, etc. As long as soldiers have a reasonable amount to eat, and know that their families are being taken care of back home, additional pay and rations rapidly hit a point of diminishing returns. Pro tip: Pay soldiers partly in the form of war bonds that the government will redeem after the war is over. Everyone knows that these will become worthless if the government loses the war, thereby providing an additional incentive to fight at zero present cost. The two things that do work are: 1. Drills/rehearsals, and, 2. The regimental system. Battle drills and rehearsals pay off in three ways. Firstly, practice makes perfect. Everyone gets to make mistakes and learn from them without winding up dead. Secondly, morale is hugely boosted if everyone can see that their commander's plan is realistic and will actually work because it does actually work... in practice. Thirdly, when the actual battle begins, muscle memory kicks in and people will do the real thing the way that they have repeatedly rehearsed it, just because they are so used to doing things that way. The regimental system works because people may not be willing to risk their life for their country, but they will do so for their buddy. In the video, we were shown attacking forces from the North and East as an example of combat compliance. Suppose that the soldiers in both the northern and eastern force are all in the same regiment. They grew up together in the same neighbourhood of the same city, took basic training together, were drinking buddies in the pre-war Other Ranks Mess, and will be looking each other in the eyes after the battle is over for the rest of their military career. And then for the rest of their lives in the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion after the war is over. Now that's an incentive! K40 592 576 Captain (retired) Kevin C. Love, CD The Royal Regiment of Canada

[@davidcpugh8743]

Marines are for life. Cohesion. US army not so much. Except specialist subgroups like Special Forces. In USA there is a looming problem of the estrangement of the normal sources of military recruitment from the college educated urban upper classes who despise the “basket of deplorables”. I served in the last draft army. My father and grandfather fought in wars. I tell my sons and grandsons to stay out. Let the sons and daughters of these elites serve.

[@progenji6970]

@tileuxthis is so important, if my government asks me to invade another country so the rich get richer “lol no” if I am asked to die for the defense of my homeland, my city, my people “Ofcourse”

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@progenji6970 Again, there are nuances there as well. Is the request to defend your homeland actually a disguise for defending your dictator's domestic power? Who is doing the invading? A neighbour? Or a group of disaffected exiles? Which side do your loyalties fall on?

[@craiggillett5985]

Wow, thank you for the insight and thank you for your service ( from New Zealand 🇳🇿)

[@nvelsen1975]

I worked attached duties and that was specifically mentioned: You're getting inserted into a group where you 'don't belong'. Your work takes them into danger. They don't see the use, if you weren't there they'd just stay in the camp and have a nice wank or something. So the second you know where you're getting embedded or who gets voluntold they're your bodyguard squad, make them your friends and see if you can't get them interested in what you do, otherwise it's going to be a pretty difficult way of doing things.

[@teaburg]

Was told that in Sweden the military does not yell in recruits faces anymore. They found it makes no difference. Cohesion develops naturally from the rigors of training.

[@MrSmokinDragon]

think that is true, it is the same in Denmark. It is a quick and easy way to build cohesion with a recruit vs. NCOs/Officers paradigm, but this kind of forced and over the top indoctrination doesn't work any better than other types (at least up here in Scandinavia). When I was a recruit 20 years ago, the sergeants only really raised their voices to yelling-level if someone made a catastrophic-level mistake (like the one dumbass that turned around with a loaded assault rifle at the shooting range). Other than that, they would speak in a normal tone of voice and calmly explain why we should do something a certain way. Works much better, the whole atmosphere in the training platoon/regiment is so much more pleasant.

[@stevepowell6503]

I am not sure I believe in that. The whole reason drill sergeants yell at recruits isn't to be mean, it is supposed to increase the level of pressure and show how they operate under stress.

[@river_kingk9349]

​@@stevepowell6503 While you're correct and that is why places like the USMC still utilize yelling and pressure and stress to build soldiers that operate well under pressure and simulate combat stress, there are studies still ongoing that pressure can be generated not just from that one avenue. Playing with a recruit's sense of time during an exercise, or building unit cohesion *first* and then challenging that cohesion in an exercise operation where you and your units might be split up might produce the same results. Unit cohesion might also spike more active participation in combat as the video demonstrates. If you place your trust in your comrades and your comrades place their trust in you, you'll end up with a "Leeroy Jenkins moment" as I like to call it, where the active action of one comrade spurs everyone else into action. The idea of pressure, stress, and overall combat stimulation is to build that sense of "when shit hits the fan, your squadmates have your ass and you have theirs." Weathering combat situations alone will always be a loss to the individual soldier, no matter how well-trained you are. It would be interesting to see the dynamic that results in these different methods of training, but I believe that both methods would result in a similar goal.

[@IF040020]

Ive seen sweden military with fag flag in pictures

[@barrygillis]

@@stevepowell6503 Is it reason? Or is it an imaginary explanation that might not make a difference, or even have detrimental effects?

[@tim1398]

Reminds of that Band-of-Brothers episode where they scout across canal and bring back a prisoner to get intel. The Colonel loves it and orders another the next night. Captain Winters, knowing that the enemy will surely be expecting it and they would suffer high casualties for no gain, tells them to get a good nights sleep and report in the morning that they were unsuccessful.

[@victoriacuevas5802]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Belgand]

The real patrol that episode was based on has been covered in detail by The Operations Room: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rX6Yd3qMo8dlacU.

[@stevenpace892]

sending them would demoralise them. If you believe you are being lead by a fool, you are unlikely to want to carry out their plans. If you trust them, and their competence, you will. You know that you have a good chance if you follow their plans.

[@davidcpugh8743]

Did that in Vietnam. As a point man, my value depended on takin risks to spot ambushes of the 100 grunts behind me, and knowing that they would not abandon me. I survived. With a bit of ptsd intrinsically a part of infantry in a war. After I treated it by the oldest deal in the world - a wife, kids and a good career. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦.

[@beverleywilson4091]

Yours is an inspiring story, Mr Pugh. You have my deepest respect. Glory to Ukraine.

[@77thTrombone]

Anyone who served in Vietnam gets my salute. 🙋‍♂️ Those were tough times.

[@magpieeuc4846]

Bro step off with your Vietnam story's, this is a real War not Colonial Policemen fighting rice farmers, US lost 58k troops over 10 years. Ukraine are pushing 200k dead in 1.

[@beverleywilson4091]

@@77thTrombone Oh yes, I completely agree.

[@tooeasyy5287]

What a badass, i always look up to the guys willing to be the FIRST one into danger.

[@rogirek3362]

A note regarding the idea that commanders try to avoid giving orders that will not be followed: Every time an order is not followed, it makes for a massive blow to automaticity. You have created an epistemic proof that not following an order can happen. Even if it turns out poorly, the option now forever exists in the mind.

[@vinnieg6161]

unlawful orders can always be ignored and In western countries you are bound by law to report unlawful orders

[@justADeni]

@@vinnieg6161 in theory? yes. In a real war? You will be court martialed and swept under the rug

[@samc9133]

The idea of "officers in the backline to prevent retreat" might be as old or older than the Roman Camillan armies. The Triarii stayed in the backline and I've heard it speculated that one of the reasons they did so was to give them something to rally to; they couldn't just exit the battlefield without smacking into the Triarii. Indeed, "it comes down to the Triarii" was a phrase which was meant to convey the idea of carrying on to the bitter end.

[@MultiNike79]

And about the rape of children in front of the mother for her interrogation, ON THE CAMERA. How do the heroes of Ukraine do it - have you heard? And what about remote mass mining of large cities with anti-personnel mines? Shelling of churches at Easter? Unlimited lies of the Anglo-Saxon countries? Who and where lied so much?

[@Elenrai]

Even then it is also worth to note the mentions of the Triarii struggling with this role, because of course hardened veterans(accounting for the Patriarch culture of Rome) will have some issue in seeing "boys/their charges" dying when their younger cousins or brothers got struck down, frankly I suspect such an issue might also have been part of the reason why the Triarii supposedly on occasion BEGGED to be put into action, I cant imagine what it must be like for hardened veterans to be told NOT to intervene in a situation when they desperately want to do what they know they can do for a unit of young men that is on the verge of loosing cohesion

[@MultiNike79]

Do you understand what an inverted lie is? This is one of the characteristic methods of Anglo-Saxon propaganda. I read the comments here and am surprised how people's understanding of the situation is diametrically opposed to the actual reality. And it has been for over a hundred years. Hemmingway wondered the same about the war in Spain.

[@vinnieg6161]

@@MultiNike79 What is this reality, according to you Nicolas?

[@MultiNike79]

@@vinnieg6161 Хрюк, размножай мозги другим, а?

[@MPdude237]

This problem is brought to light in one quest for the NCR in Fallout: New Vegas. You approach an NCR military camp and a Squad Leader approaches you about helping train her underperforming squad. As part of this mission, you talk to each squad member to discuss their problems and encourage them to do their jobs better, one member sounds an awful lot like Private Konskriptivich discussed in many videos regarding Russian army organization. He discusses that he joined the NCR to maximize his personal gain and specifically chose to be a mediocre soldier for the reasons discussed here. He states being a bad soldier will result in you being kicked out, and that being a good soldier will land you on the frontlines fighting with enemies who take no prisoners, makes slaves out of them, or tortures them to death. As a result, being Mediocre puts you in a rear echelon position that keeps you away from the fighting and keeps you on army payroll. This solider further notes that you could sneak into the HQ and falsify performance reports to give them commendations, although he notes that you will need to look for other methods if you actually intend to fix the problem. And your actions here (do nothing, falsify reports, train the squad, maybe more I missed) will bear fruit later on. [SPOILERS AHEAD!!] In the game ending, you will see what becomes of this squad depending on what you do. This rear echelon base is attacked by the Legion, if you train them, they will successfully repel the attack and be commended for it, failing to train them will result in their position being overrun and getting slaughtered.

[@thiloswift8035]

Wow!! War is just like my videogame

[@JonDundas10]

What an embarrassing post. This isn't a videogame. This is real life. Grow up.

[@JohnHughesChampigny]

@@JonDundas10 Art reflects life. Philistine is annoyed, shouts at clouds.

[@deltaflash7889]

@@JonDundas10 its a relevant comparison, what a childish response

[@thiloswift8035]

@@JonDundas10 thanks for thinking and not being an mk ultra brainwashed cooky one

[@s4pphi]

12:16 Putin's peering through the window on the right, next to those yellow bags #wheresputin Great and insightful video as always.

[@daveblack6951]

Good lord 👁👁

[@TomMS]

Oh my! How long did this take you to find or were you just lucky?

[@cHA0s184]

spotted it too and scrolled down and ctrl+f to look for "#whereisputin" and saw your comment and now nobody will believe me 😭

[@daveblack6951]

@@cHA0s184 I believe you 😂😂

[@KarmaKitten01]

Brilliant! I believe I have seen it… I remember thinking “what’s that?” but I can’t off-hand remember. I always like your videos so I’ll go back and look. Your students were blessed to have you. I think your insights are spot on, but I worry sometimes that you will be kidnapped by the Russian military and forced to tell them how they can fix their obvious “snowball on a slope” dilemma. Stay safe and thank you for helping me to understand better the dynamics of the war in Ukraine!!! Looking forward to getting your book… stay safe!! 🇨🇦🫶🏻🇺🇦

[@p00bix]

This video is really useful for any teacher discussing WW1--or honestly any modern war--with students. It does a great job digging into the personal, psychological, and strategic aspects that lead to such bloody, seemingly suicidal tactics being adopted by militaries, which at first glance seem senseless. At the same time, having all of this tie into ongoing events greatly increases how relevant it can feel to students, and influence how they perceive either the Russia-Ukraine war or whatever future wars may occur in the future. I see three main ways it could be utilized really well. 1) As part of an assignment early in the schoolyear, where students write a short report about the real-world importance of learning history after watching a video. In this case, this video would be only one out of several options (the rest of which aren't military related, since not everyone finds warfare particularly interesting and the point of the assignment is to get everyone invested) 2) Shown to the whole classroom as part of a unit focused on World War One. In this case, time constraints mean the teacher would probably have to edit together a stripped-down version of this video removing content that isn't as relevant. Perhaps this stripped down version only includes 0:00-0:20, 1:05-1:40, 2:18-5:20, 5:36-6:51, 7:25-8:10, 12:32-12:42, 14:03-14:46, 18:30-23:15, and 24:09-24:40, which amounts to 12 minutes and 10 seconds total. 3) Included as recommended/optional study material, either for whichever unit includes WW1, for an end-of-year unit which returns to discusses the modern day within its wider historical context, or for the final exam.

[@olivere5497]

Me and my old man were watching a documentary about Verdun yestersay, i said 'the events in Bahkmut help us put Verdun in perspective', cause in 1990s high school Verdun sounded bad but it lacked any yard stick. The baby boomer replied: 'nope, its nothing like it' and went on watching the tv.

[@dasa7921]

Dont forget to mention to students how Russia is taking land next to it border by country made out of russia. and 3500 civilians died. YET USA WENT TO ILLEGAL WAR ON OTHER SIDE OF WORLD AND KILLED 2million civilians !

[@cv990a4]

Putin worship at the altar of the Soviet military. This includes spending huge amounts of money on expensive Soviet toys, like the carrier Kutznetsov or the Tu-160, or the largest number of nuclear weapons on earth (at least 10x what China has, for instance). The enormous spending on these things has done absolutely no good for Russia in Ukraine. One of Perun's very first video made this important point. Putin's spending on Soviet toys has done absolutely nothing for Russia's ability to succeed in Ukraine. Soviet military doctrine gives little flexibility to the lower ranks. In Putin's mind, the Soviet military is not to be doubted. The Soviet military cannot fail. It can only be failed. If you fail, you simply aren't Soviet-ing hard enough. It's like the old saying - the beatings will continue until morale improves.

[@PhantomOfManyTopics]

Incorrect, William is not a neutral observer. He is a Ukrainian cheerleader.

[@TheRyanandRachael]

​@Disc Dfs OP was specifically referring to the part's about ww1.

[@hoi-polloi1863]

One key element that helps building automaticity is *trust* ... that is, the trust that the soldiers have that the army is going to spend their lives wisely and honorably. If that trust is there, it becomes a lot easier to do your duty knowing that higher isn't throwing you to your death. Trust also comes into play across units; if you *know* that the Northern force is going to do their part, then you and your Eastern force are a lot more likely to stick to the plan.

[@colincampbell767]

Hence the US Army ethic of: 'No soldier left behind.' If you're wounded - you know that all the way up your chain of command, they are going to do their best to get you to safety.

[@MultiNike79]

@Will he heck as like Show you thousands of videos of Nazis escaping? Or how they shoot their own? Show punitive detachments that shoot retreating or surrendering? Do you even understand that in Ukraine there is a clear dichotomy between Nazis and slaves, that most of the army there are Russians who were sent to fight against their own? And they don’t like it at all, but they can’t do anything, because public torture and executions in Ukraine have been the norm since the United States conquered this country? Russia defends itself. Their soldiers are fighting on their own land. But what the Western fascists forgot there is incomprehensible, we defeated you 80 years ago, we will defeat you now.

[@ojjuiceman]

Americans had this problem in the early days of WW2... What they did to combat this was extra training and told the troops if you follow your training and protocols you will make it out alive.... It actually worked.. soldiers took their training more seriously and were able to adapt on the battle field... Russia sends inexperienced soldiers with moral problems and wonder why they don't commit 100%.... If you want your troops to commit 100% you have to commy your resources to their training... In WW1 it was such a problem they actually had soldiers hanging out and playing soccer with the enemy because they didn't believe they would live so they didn't care .. Christmas day truce almost ruined the war for both sides since the soldiers were realizing these people aren't my enemy but the people leading me to certain death are...

[@MultiNike79]

@@ojjuiceman >Russia sends inexperienced soldiers with moral problems You understand that you totally don't understand the situation due to crazy propaganda? You do not understand who is fighting and for what reasons. And what you don't realize is that the US is carrying out one of the worst genocides in modern history.

[@colincampbell767]

@@ojjuiceman We also had a secret weapon. It was (and still is) called CALL. Center for Army Lessons Learned. They went out to the front lines and interviewed officers, NCOs and enlisted soldier. What worked, what didn't work, what problems did they have and how did they solve those problems. What new tactics did they come up with. Etc. They then go and publish their findings army-wide. Not only de the line units get this information - but it is also used to modify training and recommend changes to equipment design.

[@evFPV]

One of the best YT channels about the war. Thank you for your videos

[@krisfrederick5001]

"Ready! Fire! AIM!" -Russian Military Doctrine

[@PushyPawn]

*"300"* *"30"* *"3"* 🚀 🚀 ⏱ z🐖💥 🥩🥩🥓 z🐖💥 🥩🥩🥓 - Ukrainian military doctrine.

[@christianjocson5509]

Fire! Ready! Ai…wait, wha- Gets killed by a drone seconds later.

[@hewhohasnoidentity4377]

Fire! Aim! Ready! - Typical US Military Doctrine

[@DanSoloha]

@@hewhohasnoidentity4377…have you ever been a _part_ of the US military?

[@cowboybebopenthusiast4135]

@@DanSoloha Ask 1 million casualties in Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan....

[@Canthus13]

The Russian problem is basically "Fuck that. I got no dog in this fight." Same as the US in Vietnam and, to a lesser extent, the middle east. Our guys really didn't want to be there. It was better in the middle east because we had no draftees, but the long-term grind really killed our resolve. But even then, the US tries to instill camaraderie and unit cohesion. If nothing else, you're loyal to each other and will fight to the death for your brothers.

[@cheesuskrust7021]

No they want to unify the Rus people. The video briefly covered it

[@georgehall7749]

And Russian soldiers dont care enough to pick up the dead. The US military will expend more lives just to retrieve a body. The idea that the people around you care enough to die just to get your body back to your family shows the level of comradery they have.

[@Canthus13]

@@cheesuskrust7021 Uh. What? That has nothing to do with their piss poor performance, lack of unit cohesion, unwillingness to fight, and lack of morale. Putin is a megalomaniac that likes to spout that trash sometimes, but you don't unify by slaughter. Maybe read what you're responding to and use a bit of logic and reason.

[@Alexthealright]

@@cheesuskrust7021 I think he’s talking about the grunts

[@cheesuskrust7021]

@@Alexthealright yes

[@SpinyAnt]

Thanks. No thank you for an excellent commentary !!!

[@Gametheory101]

Thank you!

[@bensontay1885]

There he is @12:19 #wheresputin

[@babusseus1105]

Nice job, would have never found him...

[@arturslunga4226]

That is an insane catch, impressive

[@idlehands1238]

Well done. I thought you were just a MAGA nut at first!

[@matthewn1805]

The reflection in the window! you need a high res monitor to spot that 😎

[@neoprofin]

I'm only half-way through and I started crying and needed a smoke break. As an NCO once said to us, "Look to your left, look to your right. We all wear green." It doesn't matter where you came from, why you joined, what you plan to do in the future. The US military for all its regular incompetence is very good at learning from some of it's mistakes, just not the ones people talk about. Iraq, Afghanistan, and then later Syria, and getting the Subterranean Warfare manual for North Korea. I already had a house and a wife and a good civilian job. You wouldn't believe the number of people who were released at the end of their contracts but absolutely would have come back if we were getting deployed. Esprit de Corps. War is stupid, but it happens. I'd rather my friends not die, and I'm willing to die for that.

[@airohead66]

I was just thinking this same thing. When he was explaining the L shaped attack on the Ukrainian position at 5:40, he detailed why the Northern prong and the Eastern prong would 'advance cautiously' so that the other prong would take the brunt of the casualties. As an (U.S.) Army vet, my first thought was "But.. That 'other' prong are your buddies in arms, wouldn't your gut reaction be to attack with enough ferocity that your other friends and comrades don't die?" And I guess that describes the different in ideology. If my buddies lives rely on my unit doing our job, I KNOW that we're going to put every single bit of possible effort into it. The RU forces do not seem to care. What an awful system.

[@neoprofin]

@@airohead66 One of my civilian coworkers is a former Marine grunt (who turned to the dark side, retired as a Major) from Kyiv; and we're simply baffled every day. In the US you can't maintain public support if there are too many coffins being unloaded on the airfield, but whether you're a crayon eater, a ground pounder, chair force etc, we all swore our oaths and everyone wants everyone else to make it home. It's just senseless loss of life and destruction.

[@davidcpugh8743]

Yes. Unit cohesion is the secret sauce. And NCOs. I took truly foolish risks when this was true as can’t let the home team down. Glory and patriotism ends when you are on the receiving end of mortar rounds or bullets. I was indeed “faster than a speeding bullet” as the movie goes.

[@jacedjohnson3541]

@@davidcpugh8743 all good points. This is probably an obvious question but do you also think that because the stakes are higher for Ukraine in repelling the invasion that they have much more incentive to fight harder and more fiercely than the Russians?

[@johnynoway9127]

that indoctrination got you good didnt it?

[@StephenGillie]

In Management, the Principal-Agent problem is also known as the Motivation problem. And in AI research, it's known as the Alignment problem.

[@ajr993]

Dude you and Perun should have an in depth pod cast discussion on the war in Ukraine. I would love and pay for that

[@alrecks619]

Economics and Logistics guy teaming up with Strategics and Game Theory guy? Now that's going to be some serious conversation going on.

[@ooo_Kim_Chi_ooo]

Just ordered you book! I can't wait to read it! As an American with a Russian/Ukrainian wife, and lived in Kyrgyzstan with a lot of Russians before and during the invasion, I saw a different social view of this than those in the West. Slava Ukraine!

[@kiwihame]

What's the local Russian community's take in Kyrgyzstan? My ex wife is also from there, and her family were always pretty pro Putin. Not surprising given they get Russian propaganda TV.

[@paulmintz5493]

@@kiwihame no propaganda can excuse anyone's support of a criminal who invades a sovereign country, and puts the world in jeopardy. Go back to Russia where you will be told what to do, and when to do it . Enjoy being dictated to!

[@MultiNike79]

Почему вы поддерживаете нацистов?

[@ooo_Kim_Chi_ooo]

@@MultiNike79 Почему вы поддерживаете геноцид? Президент Украины еврей.

[@MultiNike79]

@@ooo_Kim_Chi_ooo я категорически против геноцида. Россия его остановит. Но дальше есть проблема. По хорошему тех, кто поддерживает Украину нужно лечить, или отправлять в тюрьму (в зависимости от характера повреждения мозга). Но они же устроили этот геноцид, и уже не в первый раз. Родственники жертв настроены на месть. И вот думай теперь - нормально ли, что свидомых всех убьют? Местное население не разбиралось с нюансами ни в 17ом веке, ни в 19, ни в 20. И в 21 тоже, наверное не будет.

[@craigstergriffin2097]

Thanks!

[@Omni0404]

That's not fair to compare them to the Zerg. Even Sarah Kerrigan wouldn't needlessly throw her troops away!

[@talideon]

She had a shred of humanity within her, mind.

[@maxwellhogan5059]

loved hearing him reference the swarm

[@asd-tg6zx]

spawn more overlords!

[@stevenpace892]

Of course not. The zerg do what they are told. That makes them valuable. The Russians see these prisoners as just worthless mouths to feed.

[@ps3andrhcp]

Never been this early before. But this channel is amazing. Watching detailed history happening right in front of us and you report it insanely well.

[@dotz7616]

Yes, if you like this I recommend Fox News!

[@nzs316]

I apologize for the less than intelligent comment this dummy made about Fox News. I’m convinced that person is limited to counting their fingers to do math and is limited to a ten count!

[@jessehachey2732]

@@dotz7616 😂😂😂 yea, that channel that argues in court that no sane, reasonable person would take their entertainment as “News” and whose hosts simp for Ruzzia 🙄🤡

[@chachaman4980]

Don’t be educating the Putin regime- Let them figure it out!

[@nzs316]

@@chachaman4980 They are too arrogant to watch this. Western bullshit!…

[@lornalafontaine6434]

I REALLY enjoy all your videos and watch them multiple times. Your knowledge of the subject matter, excellent writing and narration educates and entertain at the same time. Thank you Sir!

[@MPdude237]

Excellent video. I don’t know if anyone else experienced it, but I had an audio glitch at 5:48 or something around it. Just want to let you know so you can catch it next time.

[@WPaKFamily]

Noticed that too in my left ear.

[@billzhao1346]

I think another reason explaining why Ukrainian resistance has been far more dogged than their russian counterparts is that the principal agent problem actually runs in reverse for the ukrainians and the defending side in general. This is because if the defending soldiers on part of the front line slack off and attempt to free ride off their comerades on the rest of the front line, the attacking side will naturally percieve the slacking side as weaker and concentrate their reserve forces on attacking the slacking side in order to increase the odds of a breakthrough. Thus, slacking off for the defenders only invites more aggression from the attacking side so defenders are incentivized to fight as hard as they can to get the enemy to concentrate their reserves on other parts of the front line. Since all parts of the front line think along this line, the end result is that the entire defending side on the front line ends up fighting as hard as they can. As a result, the ukrainians have had no need to employ barrier troops or deploy senior officers to the front line.

[@suckersupreme4380]

That’s an incredibly interesting and well written point, and that makes a hell of a lot of sense

[@Edax_Royeaux]

I somewhat disagree with the theory because on the defense, some positions are just so strong that slacking becomes inevitable. Even if the Russians observe that the Ukrainians across the Dnieper River are slacking off, the amount of effort if would require to attack across the river along with the inherit slowness such an attack would be would negate any potential benefit hitting this "weaker" force. You even see this in WWI, where the live and let live system would become prevalent along the lines where hardly any fighting hadn't happened, often because such regions were not conducive to attack. I can easily imagine the territorial defense units guarding Kyiv right this moment not being on their highest possible guard.

[@olegdemianenko3054]

@@robertdownes793 What separatists? They are fighting against the russian forces, stop listening to the ru media. There were never any organized groups of separatists. It was literally created the moment the first invasion happened, came out of the blue as a justification. Large amounts of russian military personnel in plain clothes traveled to Ukraine in 2014 - they are not even hiding it anymore, you can read it in their obituaries. Eventually, yes, local militias were formed - as with any occupied territory.

[@57thorns]

@@Edax_Royeaux Well, such a strong position is not manned as heavily so there is till no time to slack.

[@Edax_Royeaux]

@@57thorns "there is no time to slack" Most of military life is hurry-up-and-wait, so I don't know what you mean. There is a lot of time spent idling on guard duty.

[@0x777]

The average soldier's primary goal is to survive the battle. In essence, the main enemy is their commander. The alleged enemy does not want them to reach the front line, the only one who wants them to do so, and to face death, is their very own command. Eliminate that command and you eliminate the problem.

[@xanderalaniz2298]

An amazing video. You explain the psychology behind soldiers and operations well!

[@bojanvukobradovic2504]

Its just analitics no idea of a real war😂😂Like in imagine that and that😂😂😂

[@MultiNike79]

This video is stupid propaganda. No any real facts.

[@kamukameh]

I think a big influence is also the whole "reason" for the war: When your soldiers are not behind the mission, it probably fails. The footsoldier thinks: Why am I supposed to kill this guys on the other side.

[@jshepard152]

What evidence do we have that this is true? A lot of people in Russia support the war.

[@fi4re]

Maybe more like, “why am I supposed to risk my life to try to kill the guys on the other side?”

[@kamukameh]

@@fi4re That's kind of what I meant, thanks. I'm a foreign speaker when it comes to English.

[@damonedrington3453]

That’s basically the main reason the US and other western nations switched from conscription based drafting to a volunteer force. When someone voluntarily joins the military you can be sure they’re gonna do their job

[@justanotheroldguy738]

From what I've read and heard, the Russia population is behind this war. Have you looked into the other side or are you basing your opinions on one-sided propaganda?

[@mr.pavone9719]

It's good to hear someone cover the war without focusing on the materiél aspect and more on leadership and psychology. Those things often matter more than the cool, shiny gear.

[@stevenpace892]

Yes, good armies pay attention to all of the important details. Anything you miss will cost you dearly.

[@flailingelbows7073]

One of the biggest benefits I ever had in service is knowing that if I get hit, I am going to be taken care of. If I die, it's not my problem anymore and my family will be taken care of. I will not be left behind unless the circumstances are so severe; And even then, at some point someone will come back for me. Whether a grunt, an operator, or an agent. I will not be abandoned and can fight are hard and confidently as I want because I will be supplied, I will be supported, things may get hard- But they will never get - hard - because our logistics while still having its own flaws, are extraordinarily efficient. All of this, the Russian Army does not have the benefit of.

[@parabot2]

Who and what are you fighting for ?

[@MultiNike79]

Fun fact, during the Second World War, the USSR had the most efficient medical service in the world. Funny second fact. Europeans think they live in democracies and have rights. While in reality they live in a bubble of lies and totalitarian. All this leads to Nazism, both 80 years ago and now. In general, I am happy that the truth is on the side of Russia, and therefore it will win.

[@MultiNike79]

@@parabot2 He is a typical burgher of Hitler. They, too, lived and died in the fantasies created by Goebbels until the Russians came. Nothing has changed for centuries.

[@karlanal1]

taken care of how. Like the special unit thatkilled saddam or was it, no it was bin laden. After mission accomplished the special forces were returning in one chopper and the other staff in another. The special forces were in a better, faster and stelthier chopper so by far thee way heavier and more difficult target and BTW their return route was top secret. taken care of like that but all of that was koincidence. Yeah right, just like two sheepshaggers managed to put two planes in the towers. the worst thing is, you are fine with all of that

[@beepseatsfindingfoodtreasu8756]

I served during the Ronald Reagan era. We trained heavily on counter tactics. They are not trained to react. They are given orders and they stringently carry them out. Whereas we are trained to observe the situation and make decisions on the present situation. I can't imagine an orc being able to tell an NCO or Officer to move to a position in order to suppress the enemy. We were trained to take out the officers and NCO's first then let them continue on with the orders given. The only thing worse than that logic is the old fashioned line formation. The only difference is that lay down then get up and move. Still it's a duck shoot.

[@CharliMorganMusic]

I think that the methodology of recruit training is the oldest and most refined area of psychology in history.

[@MrKoalaburger]

I wanna emphasize what you said about boot camp (in the US) being "shooting and drilling". Legit, boot camp is like 85% psychological breakdown, and 15% combat training. And it works.

[@rogergeyer9851]

Alex K: Is this easier in a volunteer army? I don't see this reliably working for people absolutely not wanting to be there, but having been drafted. If things get bad enough, I'm surprised there aren't more instances of friendly fire, re bad officers getting shot by their own draftees who are badly treated.

[@vinnieg6161]

I think you are leaving a lot of potentially good soldiers out by having a drill sergeant screaming and abusing recruits.

[@MrKoalaburger]

@@rogergeyer9851 Yes this is how it works in a volunteer army. Keep in mind, in the US, one signs a contract to enlist. You can't just call it quits and leave you'll go to prison. Besides, everyone know it's just temporary and better to suffer for a few years and deal with it than fight it.

[@JCtheMusicMan_]

This is an important topic! For a military to be effective they cannot skip the steps of building unit cohesion and sense of camaraderie to the point of being willing to risk their lives for each other. Unit cohesion and mutual trust is what makes the unit greater than the sum of its parts. ❤

[@wmp3346]

It’s a good lesson for despots and dictators

[@bojanvukobradovic2504]

So you experience that?

[@gandalfstormcrow2486]

​@@bojanvukobradovic2504 always. It's how we're trained. Hey how does Russia beat all 30 NATO countries and 17 out of the top 20 most powerful economies in the world?🤣🤣🤣

[@ahumanperson3649]

@@gandalfstormcrow2486 how does Russia struggle to beat one non nato country that’s right on the Russian border and which had a gdp that didn’t even crack 50th place before the war?

[@gandalfstormcrow2486]

@@ahumanperson3649 😂😂😂 great question! Vodka? They're too busy stealing? It's hard to commit war crimes and fight at the same time? Wait! I know! THEY'RE TOO BUSY DIGGING THEIR OWN GRAVES! Slava Ukraini.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺

[@seanavp]

I just found this channel, thank God - someone who can finally make some sense of it all!

[@kristoffer3000]

But it's not sense, it's just propaganda that aligns with the other propaganda you've been fed.

[@gengis737]

Thanks for the great video. Some observations: First, a traditional way to "encourage" better behavior is to put the worst element in the front line, as canon fodder. Wagner is using it, pushing "mule" in front, overloaded with equipment, and at the highest risk of being killed - then better trained soldiers follow, to use the equipment of the mule - who, if he survives, becomes a far more convincing fighter. Second, some armies do not put people from the same place in the same unit, to avoid the morale effect of civilians of the same area, notified of dozen of deads, at the same time. This happened to UK cities in WW1, when whole battalions were wiped out in a few days. Third, monitoring soldiers is the job of NCO and junior officers, able to translate orders in sequence of actions and to impulse them. But the very rigid Russian army does not give that much initiative to NCO, making them experimented soldiers with much authority, but little initiative.

[@MultiNike79]

Well, it is initially false, since just recently 9 years have been celebrated since the beginning of the war. When the Nazis began bombing the Donbass.

[@gengis737]

@@MultiNike79 Not related to my post so probably a Russian bot.

[@MultiNike79]

@@gengis737 This idea of Russian bots is literal Nazism, brainwashed. You are fed idiotic ideas, then you support genocide. There are quite verifiable facts, such as the seizure of power by the Nazis, the bombing of eastern Ukraine began 9 years ago. Therefore, statements about the year of the war are a dirty lie, like all subsequent information. Do you understand? You are a bot, not me.

[@stevenpace892]

Yes, the US decided to spread people out, no hometown units (except national guard). The tradeoff for lower morale is a unit that can take a beating, replace loses, and get back up to fighting strength quickly. In the hedgerows of Normandy, some US battalions suffered more than 100% casualties over a period of a few weeks. The British were more professional, but could not replace casualties like that, and keep going.

[@MultiNike79]

@@stevenpace892 Did the americans fight for European Union of Hitler or against?

[@krisfrederick5001]

Major Winters: “Good. Because I want you all to get a full night’s sleep tonight. Which means that, in the morning, you will report to me that you made it across the river but you were unable to secure any live prisoners. Understand?” Easy Company: “Yes sir.” Major Winters: “Good. Look sharp for tomorrow. We’re moving off the line.” -Band of Brothers, The Last Patrol

[@stevepowell6503]

Great reference.

[@stc3145]

Winters was a great officer and leader

[@thomasmanson1119]

A minor point that you may have missed is that the soldiers may in fact know that the officers in the rear can’t shoot as well as the enemy they are facing, so the risks are further tweaked.

[@stevenpace892]

Actually, the Russians have some guys behind them that are pretty good shots. They are what British would call "right bastards". The commisars are very good at their job, and their job is to be hated and feared. Give Putin a few years, he will put unremovable helmets on his men, and if they disobey, he pushes a button and their head blows up. Russia has long been a dark and dreary place. It is sad.

[@signoguns8501]

Such a beautiful poignant story about the British and German troops, meeting in No Mans land to exchange Christmas gifts and play football. An act of true humanity amidst one of the ugliest and most brutal wars the world has ever seen.

[@jojolafrite90]

Or soldiers having such respect that they literally told the other camp to fire first during all the wars between England and France.

[@earlofdoncaster5018]

Troops shooting to miss in expectation of reciprocity goes back to the Napoleonic Era. And was seen in Vietnam. Which is why artillery is decisive in a battle.

[@robflohil774]

There is even a movie about that event: Joyeux Noel {2005} with Diana Kruger.

[@signoguns8501]

@@robflohil774 Ah, nice. I had no idea. Thank you, I'll look that up.

[@earlofdoncaster5018]

@@robflohil774 Not sure how accurate the movie is given that it's French and Germans playing football.

[@YoderMemeIndustries]

Ukraine Tactics: Bombard with artillery, target supply depots, and wear out the enemy forces BEFORE attacking. Russian Tactics: 1) Run straight at the enemy. 2) Try not to die.

[@asmo1313]

the skip 2 a lot these days

[@Chaldon-hl6yk]

The one who has a rifle shoots. The one who does not have - follows him. When a soldier with a rifle is killed, the one following him picks up the rifle and fires.

[@firstordertrooper3339]

they just lost Artyomovsk 🤣🤣

[@JimCOsd55]

@@firstordertrooper3339 Do you know how many times that has been said the last 7 months?

[@DNG12900]

Oversimplified?

[@leesnotbritish5386]

Fascinating, almost all of this could be applied throughout all of history, and for at least a while into the future

[@tiivc]

I could tell as soon as you said "collective action" that this was going to be an unusually high cut of analysis. If amateurs talk strategy and professionals talk logistics, in a military context, then masters talk institutions and culture.

[@davidcpugh8743]

Thank you. Just as an aside my independent dog platoon operated 2 bars in the rear. And wore very illegal shoulder patches "Scout Dog" and over a round patch with a dog on it. Bought with profits from the bars. And wore black berets also none regulation. We were self organized, 40 men plus our dogs. And like every grunt, inked peace symbols on our helmets. I see a lot of this in the Ukrainian troops fondness for skylarking for videos. They are truly impressive.

[@behrensf84]

zerg waves of soldiers???? is that a reference to starcraft????

[@Gametheory101]

Yup

[@DakotaofRaptors]

No it's Toy Story

[@kristoffer3000]

@@Gametheory101 It's actually a reference to Nazi propaganda from WW2, do better, even if you support the modern day Nazis in Ukraine.

[@evan6901]

How have I gone this long without seeing your channel, instant subscriber.

[@tb.7260]

Zerg like waves! #starcraft reference. I love it ❤

[@EhEhEhEINSTEIN]

Definitely gets the 90s nostalgia bonus points for tying starcraft into modern geopolitics lol

[@tadlambert1493]

ZERGS !!!

[@viktorandersson5067]

Best channel covering the Russian aggression on Ukraine!

[@Rwswal]

What about the 🇺🇸 aggression on 🇷🇺 using 🇺🇦 which is what this actually is

[@Denime]

​@@Rwswalreally? When did the USA invade Russia? I must have completely missed that in the news.

[@alexkondryuk7330]

Except it’s not Russian aggression, it’s Russia standing up tot he western bully 💪🇷🇺

[@Rwswal]

@@Denime Dunning-Kruger effect right there 😂

[@viktorandersson5067]

@@Rwswal haha Russian bots are always funny 🤣

[@Ralphr203]

"zerg-like waves..." got me to like and subscribe. Keep creating.

[@fibber2u]

Interesting, useful, reliable, rational and always worth a view. Thanks we are swimming in a sea of misunderstanding, dogma, exaggeration and lies your stuff is a lifeline for the mind.

[@fibber2u]

@Cavebabybeserker It is in the real world, which is where I live and that's what matters to me. However enjoy yours.

[@Kyr93]

This guy is full of common pro western propaganda

[@johnny4221]

this is not rational analysis. It is highly concentrated copium.

[@MultiNike79]

Are you seriously? Don't you see that almost everything that is said is a lie? Starting with the fact that the war started 9 years ago?

[@kristoffer3000]

@@fibber2u bro this isn't real life, it's pure, unfiltered and unashamed propaganda lol You're just too indoctrinated to see it

[@K-Man-k5n]

Really well laid perspective i didnt fully have. Thank you.

[@AggoKarmaGaming]

9:14 the guy in blue with gold rope is a master chief and was the assistant battalion commander when I was in coast guard bootcamp.

[@tkc1129]

As I used to hear from my veteran buddies in MechWarrior Online: "Everybody pushes!" Of course, we got four spawns per game, and as many games as we wanted. I wouldn't have the guts to do it IRL.

[@colbyboucher6391]

The NASCAR effect, MWO's own compliance issue

[@stevenpace892]

In real life, or in a game, you learn how, or you loose.

[@miguelangelvizuetmata555]

I never expected to listen the phrase “Zerg-like waves” in a serious analysis of a war. And yet it’s an accurate description of Russian/Soviet style tactics.

[@GermanTaffer]

Am nearing my 60ties and have an imagination of a Zerg-like attack, even if I never played it. It fit the situation the best in modern world,and I think you can me hardly an better example what is going on. In contrast neither me and you have a real understanding what was going on in 1. WW trenches or the Japanese defending strategies in WW2 (Iwo Jima) or why the screaming German Chancellor could seduce millions of Germans throughoutly. In addition there are many TV shows of this period, that are for entertaining purpose only not for accuracy. One exception is this brilliant film "Remains of the days" that explains many behaviours in the 40ties.

[@neoxyte]

Putin is using guild wars 2 world v world strategies irl.

[@Jimmy-pp6fo]

Russians = lings, Wagners = banes😂

[@MultiNike79]

Do you understand that this is a Nazi stereotype that has nothing to do with reality? When Russia defeated you 80 years ago, they also said so. However, the fact is that the fool looks in the mirror and attributes it to the opponent.

[@stevenpace892]

kind of. The zerg don't need guys behind them threatening to shoot them if they retreat.

[@sharonwilliams3185]

Thank-you, Kevin. It's a good thing that Putin is so ignorant about positive motivation of troops and battle strategy. I, too, am Canadian and know that it is teamwork and loyalty to a common purpose under sane leadership is the key to accomplishing a common goal.

[@hungrymusicwolf]

It's always fun when youtubers put this kind of game in their videos.

[@shonunezekiel]

Very interesting video, and the principles here can be applied to management in a company scenario - particularly where the team members are working remotely post-covid without the same oversight - it is important that they are self-motivated (and ideally not because they are worried they will be fired if they do not meet their targets!).

[@myaschaefer8504]

Love your coverage. Thank you!🙂

[@FrantisekPicifuk]

I think you are only partialy correct on the Commanders staying near the front topic. I think the other big reason they do that is tat the reports from the lower ranking officers cannot be trusted. While they may execute orders as they have received them from said commanders, the results of such orders, written in reports, are oftern distorted to look good. So if a commander wants to get a better idea of what the situation actually is at a certain time and place along the front, he has to get close, thus exposing himself to harm. This has more to do with culture of lying in Russian Army, and less with men following orders, altought that is likely factor as well.

[@threethrushes]

Culture of lying... in Russian society.

[@opo33333]

This seems based on the assumption that there is a culture of lying in the russian army, which seems more speculation than a fact

[@stevenpace892]

Yes, that was what he was saying. The Generals were observing THEIR subordinates. But my understand was that the Ukrainians managed to jam the Russian communications, with some western help. Then they killed the generals, also with western help.

[@0mn0mable]

fantastic video that clearly stands on its own merits (as usual!). but I love the #wheresputin spice XD well done sir

[@HereticalKitsune]

As a former German logistics soldier with some preparation and training for deployment... Wow, even I as a PFC knew more about situations, had more liberty with interpretation and of course training. Mind you, heavy logistics company, well behind the front lines, ideally even in the next country. As for automation in soldiers, yes... I am fairly sure I still can perform maintenance on a G36, march in formation and most basic things... 16 years after leaving service and without ever touching a gun in the meantime.

[@michaelhenault1444]

Excellent analytical and prose skills. 😊 thanks

[@ruslandukhnovskiy5694]

Being a civilian in 100 km from the frontline, you still made me laugh at this video. It's clever, full of explanation of why russia does what it does and with fun and smart insertions. Thank you, author. Ukraine will prevail 🇺🇦💪

[@M_RM.]

Must be nice laughing in your safety miles away from your countrymen laying down their lives

[@ruslandukhnovskiy5694]

@@M_RM. well, I do what I can. You might not believe, but all of us went through the full psychological cycle of what a war brings to a human and after that you do what you can and continue living with a war. But seems like you won't understand

[@wai828]

@@M_RM. Are you fighting in a war right now?

[@rocksteady140]

It will prevail. It will Just bei a little but smaller than before.

[@correctionguy7632]

@@M_RM. you are the one laughing from safety you clown

[@kirkthiets2771]

Subscribed. I watched your content for the first time today and I must say the depth of information is very desirable.

[@carlfoulkes26]

#wheresputin 12:15 Brilliant. Gonna go look for the others!

[@GarrettMartin-Stupd]

Good eyes!

[@TheWitchKing7771]

Very nice!

[@nzs316]

Always thought provoking and professionally presented.

[@rictechow231]

I very much appreciated the section on over the top raids in WWI. It makes sense of senseless activity. From what I have read there were indeed a agreements that the Germans would shell at 10 am for 15 minutes and the British at 2pm. The required nbr of rounds were used up without hurting any body.

[@MultiNike79]

This war is more like the Second World War, adjusted for nuclear weapons and the occupation of Europe by the Anglo-Saxons (when the European Union could not defeat the USSR, the Americans had to team up with the Nazis). A very strange opinion about the low motivation of the Russian army. As I understand it, history is not taught in your schools, but 80 years ago the same people killed 27 million people on this ground. In Russia, they remember this, and seeing that the Europeans repeat everything, they are more likely to realize the need to destroy European regimes in order to save the entire planet.

[@YassenJL]

Love your game theory videos, mate. Doing my dissertation on ethnic relations, using quite a lot of the same models.

[@MultiNike79]

Do you think the war in Ukraine is intra-ethnic or not? The second question is, why do Europeans believe that in a certain country people of one nationality can do anything with people of another? For the citizens of Russia, this war came as a surprise when it turned out that the level of Nazism in Europe was exactly the same as under Hitler. It seemed that Russia brought human rights to Europe and they were advertised for 80 years, but it turned out that this idea never took root.

[@user-vk7cp1op9p]

You explained it better. Without a reason, a good reason,( although NOT if that reason is to seize power and wealth for one man not the soldier, you can not reasonably ask a thinking man to give up his life, limb, beloved wife and children, or loving family and expect to see it happen. Only a self-involved dictator would not remember that only in training and reward, you teach those sent to win, to trust their comrades in the fight, become professional in skill, until they know it, as unconsciously as breathing. The Ukrainians are not just another "like army", but fathers and husbands with homes and mortgages you flattened, a church leveled, and a demolished school their children loved, and you think you can merely kill and win? For every Ukrainian who falls, there are two to take his place, who believe in the fight against the aggressor, and will never get distracted, and do what it takes to win the land stolen by a bully because he desired it and valued his people as much as bullets he ordered. Thank you for sharing your expertise. Great podcast.

[@gerrychartrand360]

Putin never wanted to take over, wanted negotiations since 2008. Ukraine and usa build up armies behind his back for years. Ignored his will, just like China ; but as usual usa has to but in. So there it is research 2008 until 2019 history before spewing garbage idiot.

[@MultiNike79]

You don't fully understand what's going on. Ukrainians do NOT want to fight. They are really waiting for liberation from Western tyranny. You have no idea how criminal and terrible the pro-American regime is one of the most terrorist in history. The inhabitants of Ukraine have no choice if they do not run to fight - they will be shot by the Nazis. There are enough videos like this. If a Ukrainian protests, he will be tortured, stabbed and filmed for everyone to see. If you think that freedom is - then you are mistaken.

[@Bar-Del]

Actually soldiers in ww1 were ordered to walk not sprint across no man's land, for a few reasons, one of them being to maintain formation, another was to make the crossing of no man's land less chaotic, as the higher ups felt that if they sprinted across it would show fear and everyone would run and it would be so much chaos no one would know what was happening and they would end up running back towards their own side. Also so the artillery bombardments didn't kill their own soldiers.

[@randomdarkbrownguy9667]

Wasn't expecting to hear gamer terms like zerg rush and face check in this video especially not the latte but it did make me laugh. I laughed and learned great video!

[@harmenbreedeveld8026]

Thank you for an interesting video! You make great points on how command can better compliance. I can think of four further methods for doing so. Some you mention here and there, but never as it's own category. The four are: 1.) Better medevac, healthcare and body care. 2.) Better personal body protection. 3.) Drugs, from alcohol to hard drugs. 4.) An accepting mindset of death, from fatalism to a belief in the afterlife. Point 1 is well-known in the west. An emphasis on quick medevac, strong overall healthcare infrastructure, first aid medical staff among the soldiers and an emphasis on bringing everyone back home, the bodies of those who died included. This may help improve compliance, as it lessens the dangers of being wounded and even (in a way) of dying. 2.) Better body protection, especially in bullet- and shrapnel resistant vests, goggles and helmets. Such items may increase soldiers' willingness. Related to it is good training and weaponry, as they may increase a soldier's belief that he can actually successfully execute the mission. 3.) Drugs. The Russian army is famous for the widespread use of vodka. Drugs are in many ways nefarious for successful warfare, but they may take the edge of the dread, the fear of getting wounded and dying. I have heard that Russian commanders sometimes tacitly allow it. But it is a double-edged sword, for sure. 4.) Fatalism and belief in an afterlife. Both of these are mainstays for soldiers to keep their sanity. Most of us will have heard of expressions like "There's a bullet with your name on it" or "There are no atheists in foxholes". Command can try to strengthen such ideas, to increase men's willingness to endure dangerous times. I suspect these points are all of less importance than the ones you mentioned, with the possible exception of medevac/ healthcare/ bringing all bodies home. I just wanted to add it here. Keep up the good work!

[@MultiNike79]

1. It's funny that it's better in Russia. And during the last war with Hitler's European Union, Russian military medicine was noticeably better than that of the Europeans. 2. Drugs. The Russian army is famous for the widespread You are a funny dumb. Do you understand that Europeans drink more than russians? And you can't drink in a war. And Ukraine has become an extremely criminal state, after coming under the control of USA. And the Russians are amazed at how much drugs the Nazis use. 5. The best way: if you do not fight, Azov will immediately kill you. And if you decide to protest, you will be tortured and then stabbed to death. And make a video for everyone to see. You can be a pacifist, you can be the uncle of the soldier in the trench opposite. You will be broken and you will go into battle. Do you think Ukrainians like to fight against their relatives so much for the benefit of the Americans? They are waiting for release, and the opportunity to kill all pro-American terrorists.

[@peterbreis5407]

Terrific stepped analysis of the military situation.

[@samthered4862]

19:35 A funny thing about the Christmas truce is that there's stories of the Canadians receiving presents and returning grenades. Colonial Canada had something to prove, even among the common soldiers.

[@havocgr1976]

I think the Germans nicknamed em Stormtroopers, way before the name appearing inWW2.

[@samthered4862]

@@havocgr1976 The Canadians also had all the elements of a regularly sized army (Artillery for example) separate from the British army as a whole which made them a more efficient fighting force, giving rise to their nickname.

[@reddeercanoe]

@@samthered4862 April 1917 , four Canadian Divisions of the 1st Canadian Army achieved something that both the British and French Armies failed to do they captured Vimy Ridge. This was the birth of Canada for after the War the first international treaty Canada signed was the Treaty to end the War.

[@nicklibby3784]

Colonial Canada? I thought Canada was ColonizER? Not ColonizED. Are you trying to say Canada is a victim of colonization?

[@UGNAvalon]

@Nick Libby As a vassal nation to the British crown, yes, technically Canada would be “a colony of / colonized by” the UK. The Native Canadians likely wouldn’t care about the subtleties, but in terms of Commonwealth international political relations, that’s how it would be defined.

[@nate4745]

Germany didn't give up until bombs were landing on them. Japan didn't give up until two of his cities were incinerated. I don't think Russia will give up until they start getting hit at home. For now, for Vlad the Invader P, the war is far away. He can't stop. What's he going to say, "Okay, I'm stopping. Sorry."

[@jshepard152]

The war stops when he dies or is deposed.

[@MrWhitmen1981]

I wonder if you know how Italy gave up?

[@nate4745]

@@MrWhitmen1981 We invaded Italy in 1943 and shortly thereafter the Fascist government collapsed. German paratroopers rescued Mussolini and put him in charge of Northern and Central Italy which the Nazis still controlled. Italian resistance captured Mussolini and quickly executed him in April, 1945. Italy formally surrendered in May, 1945, a week before the Germans surrendered. The point is that the war had to be brought home to the invader before he surrendered.

[@Loyal_Lion]

Uh, Germany didn't give up until Hitler killed himself after his bunker was literally surrounded by the Russians and Berlin was almost completely razed to the ground. By that time the allied bombing campaigns had destroyed most of their major cities. The Nazis were nationalist fanatics to a degree that we can barely understand these days. The thing is that the Germans of WW2 fielded the best soldiers that the world has ever seen to the point that they fought until completely and utterly defeated (not praising their ideology obviously, which was horrific). By contrast, modern Russia is soft and their military rotten. We could easily see them lose their ability both to organize offensives (looks like it has happened already even?) and defend territory, after which it will be a moot point if the Kremlin wants to keep on fighting. They can't do it if their army simply disintegrates which looks like a very likely scenario to me.

[@GrubHuncher]

Germany didn’t give up until mustache man was dead

[@JeriDro]

The "I Spy Putin" segment at the end is pretty creative and funny, haha!

[@shannonkohl68]

Interesting technique to find out how closely people pay attention to your video. Unfortunately in my case I'm normally playing a game while treating the video as a podcast. Another case of the soldiers cooperating to avoid being killed was during the US civil war. They got to where they would yell across the lines to tell noobs to keep down so they didn't have to shoot them. They also would get to where they would understand when they could not take a position, advance towards it casually and retreat when first shot at. Of course officers in those armies had to be more cautious of executing soldiers so I don't think much was done about it. And of course they would generally fight if they believed they had a chance to win, but were not going to throw their lives away just because some dumb officer thought the well defended trench was takable.

[@Peacich]

good quality content

[@kirkwagner461]

Thanks for the explanation of the term "Combat Compliance."

[@ianshaver8954]

I knew that their morale was low, but it’s fascinating how that translates to limiting the tactical options for Russian command.

[@MultiNike79]

Do you realize that this video is a good example of Anglo-Saxon propaganda? Inverted lies, emotions and similar things that are used for brainwashing? It's simple - the war began 9 years ago, eastern Ukraine was bombed for 9 years. This was done by your terrorists, not Putin. For Russians, this war is similar to World War II. You don't know the history, but 80 years ago the European Union killed 27 million people in these lands. And the Russians see that the Europeans do not change and have come with a new genocide. Therefore, the motivation is high, it's just that Putin is very kind and does not allow fighting at full strength. Your politicians lied about destroying the security systems in Europe. They confessed to it. The same Merkel and Hollande are objectively international criminals.

[@NiskaMagnusson]

imagine silently detesting what the Russian government is doing, having family/friends in Ukraine and then being drafted to go fight in a "Enemy at the Gates" situation. Must suck to be a Russian man of fighting age right now.

[@DefinitelyNotAMachineCultist]

Can't imagine not deserting in that situation as soon as an opportunity pops up to cross a border or surrender if it's too late to avoid the draft.

[@shanephelps9532]

Imagine having friends/family in the Donbas getting shelled by the Ukrainian military. Then being drafted into the military. I’m sure Russians are thirsty for nato blood.

[@bruceli9094]

​@@shanephelps9532 fun fact: Russia invaded another country.

[@eviltruth6706]

​@@shanephelps9532 I guess Mariupol also was shelled by the Ukrainian military ? Oh no wait, it was fully destroyed by Russia like another towns and villages in Donbass Volhovakha, Severodonetsk, Bakhmut, Soledar etc. By the way how many people died in Donbass before Russia occupied part of it in 2014 ?

[@baronvontiefen8186]

@@bruceli9094 Like USA did it many times. And? Russia was trying to solve the conflict diplomatically during 9 years.. but guilty is Russia. Double standards of brainwashed western zombies in Orwell World!

[@variable7833]

Your videos are very informative and easy to understand. Im thankful for tubers like yourself that spend so much time to produce this content. Keep on man, youre awesome.

[@MultiNike79]

This is pretty stupid propaganda. The war started 9 years ago. For 9 years, pro-American Nazis killed people and destroyed the region. It is a myth that Russia is at war with Ukraine - no, this is a war of the same class as World War II.

[@michaeltotten7508]

Great analysis, William. BTW, I hope you have read Shattered Sword, and an earlier book on military disasters, due to failed command structures, that Shattered Sword refers to. Both are great books. Enjoy them.

[@anthonysaunders345]

I have to comment on the hidden Putin; I'm writing a book on the history of architecture. As you might imagine, it is very graphics-heavy. I've been hiding pics of mice in various illustrations, hoping that one day when aspiring achitects, interior designers and interior decorators they might have a little fun searching for these, either in collaboration or on their own. Now I find out someone is doing something similar in videos. Either we're both quite clever, or I'm not quite as original as I thought I was.

[@enrixosjjdjd187]

Where is this in the video? I have listening to it in the background and can’t rewatch the whole video lol

[@Llortnerof]

I assure you, you're far from the first to come up with the idea. No reason not to do it, though. Just a result of the fact that people have been writing illustrated books for millenia and some of them might have gotten a little bored or a copier took a few minor liberties for their own amusement. It's pretty common in books for children to have little details hidden in the illustrations, too. I'd expect it is rather difficult to come up with completely original ideas for book design at this point. Most everything has been tried at one point or another by now.

[@philliusphoggwick8299]

​@@Llortnerof what about a book written entirely on a roll of toilet paper, and you read the strips you're going to use? It means ofc you'd have to have your own personal roll, otherwise your family might use up a crucial part and you'd be lost. Do you think someone has done that? Should we do it together?

[@Llortnerof]

@@philliusphoggwick8299 I think they did it with comics. Repeatedly. Usually as some sort of special. Toilet rolls with caricatures have also happened before. Naturally, they mainly featured the artists political opponents.

[@IvanTre]

Logic of evolution dictates there's a very finite amount of future aspiring architects, so while I'm sure you get out satisfaction out of hiding Easter eggs in a book, odds are, no one will ever bother finding them. As an aside, seeing what architects are up to these days has made me more accepting of the largely inevitable deprecation of homo sapiens that is coming courtesy of development of mechanical life.

[@tski3458]

Outstanding deep dive. All should watch this

[@declangallagher1448]

Really makes you think "Huh, these people were really once a Superpower"

[@grievetan]

A stockpile of nuclear warheads doesn't make you a superpower. Allies and economy does.

[@anthonykaiser974]

Yeah, back when they had an ideology and all, but even then, we hear that the corruption was a problem.

[@alrecks619]

Modern Russia wishes it was the Soviet Union in terms of military might.

[@jeffreyskoritowski4114]

​@@alrecks619 The problems Russia is having today is the same problems they faced during the Cold War. The difference is that they were better at hiding it. I suspect they wouldn't have done much better.

[@stannicolae4623]

Sometimes I wonder if the soviet union was just as stupid as russia is today. People were still thinking russia was capable just a few years ago

[@siliconvalleyengineer5875]

trying to over run enemy german positions with waves of russian soldiers mostly worked in WWII. This is 2023 and the Ukrainians have the fire-power ability to mow down russians by the 1000's and 1000's in a single engagement. Additionally the Americans/British satellites and AWAC's provide the Ukrainians with russian ammo/soldier GPS locations.

[@anthonykaiser974]

...and the Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and other Soviet peoples had a motivation to attack the Germans.

[@stc3145]

Didnt work very well in WW2 either considering how many more casualties they suffered compared to how many they inflicted

[@atari947]

No it didn't work well back then either. Its when the Soviets put in place combined arms doctrines that they actually won the war.

[@Edax_Royeaux]

It depends. At Stalingrad, it was deeply disturbing how human wave tactics to the North of the city would see the Germans receive virtually no causalities while the Russians would suffer a hundreds in a single attack. The Soviets did this to relieve pressure off the defenders of the city which were hanging by a thread and it remains a question whether or not these tactics were even worth it in the end because these thousands of soldiers being pissed away could have been more useful alive, perhaps even defending the city itself instead of being used to try and deplete the Germans low ammunition supply.

[@GrubHuncher]

@@Edax_Royeaux The fact that they won is what matters. If they’d lost the war, then yes, we should speculate about what they could’ve done better. But in a war, especially a war of annihilation like that, perfection is irrelevant.

[@maphezdlin]

This was the best analysis of warfare I have ever seen. I knew basic training was meant to drive out individuality but I never fully knew why. Automaticity, I have never heard of or seen this word till now. Thanks for the info.

[@MatthewSmith-to1hz]

Never give am order to someone, you wouldn't do yourself.

[@adeladonciu5319]

I bought your book for my client. He was delighted because you offered information about the history and biography of Putin and Zelensky. He is Irish so he didn't know much about Russians and their politics. I am Romaanian and my country was under Russian occupation years and years and we know better what kind of people they are.

[@MultiNike79]

Hmm, how did Russia end up on Romanian lands, huh? Maybe the Romanians attacked Russia? Maybe the Romanians were extreme criminals? Maybe you are wild people unfamiliar with the concept of civilization? If you are now trying to repeat what you did 80 years ago, don't be surprised if Russia ends up on your lands again. Learn to live peacefully and answer for your crimes.

[@Sarah-re7cg]

The Easter eggs you sneak in are hilarious 😂 bravo to the people who find them.

[@AshanBhatoa]

What are they?

[@jesuszamora6949]

The problem with everything Russia does is that it weakens Russian cohesion while strengthening Ukraine's. Combine that with the much better equipment Ukraine has thanks to NATO, and that counteroffensive is looking mighty promising. Barring direct intervention from China, I don't see how Russia can do anything other than hope it lasts long enough for a Republican to win the presidency and disrupt NATO again.

[@gottmituns698]

7:56 they way you pronounced Ivan is a war crime.

[@yuhno808]

The main issue Russia needs to address is corruption itself, from low-ranking soldiers all the way to the highest office (ie. the presidency) However, if the corruption issue is resolved, there is no point of continuing the war in Ukraine as it does not represent the interests of the average Russian citizen. Either way, Russia will have to withdraw from Ukraine eventually.

[@arau8310]

Perhaps equal to that in importance is having the self-possession and discipline to know when something isn't working. russia would (will?) die just to complete one small objective, even if it's not technically important / pyric. I thought maybe they had that ability early on when they pulled out of the northern offensive, but they no longer have any excuse or alternate plan so I guess they'll push forward at any and all costs until they simply cannot any longer- then blame it all on someone else.

[@themerik410]

"Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death." The art of war

[@RedOneM]

Thanks for painting out the Principal-Agent Problem. Now I'm going to drill that in my head NOT to comply in a true war scenario.

[@taterkaze9428]

Russia, China, and North Korea all confuse line dancing with military training.

[@stevenkimdmd]

Parades are for propaganda and show of might for its own people, soldiers learn nothing useful.

[@Confucius_Says...]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@grievetan]

​@@stevenkimdmdparades are more for foreigners

[@nomar5spaulding]

"He argued that Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusian are all 'one people' and should be under 'one banner.' " I'm certain I've heard of an earlier fascist movement in Europe that had a slogan for exactly that sort of thing.

[@stevenpace892]

Yes, there is a lot of irony in Putin talking about Nazis, and stealing all their good speeches.

[@shygorilla8082]

"Zerg like waves......" LOL!!!! Love the Starcraft mention

[@gwky]

The problem is that winning the war for Kremlin entails an eradication of its future male demographics, while conducting it or losing it has and will further increase emigration to elsewhere for any skilled or even semi-skilled Russians. This may not lead to an outright collapse of the Russian Khanate, but it certainly looks bad. In order to retain power, Kremlin cannot allow for a modern NCO structure, because troops would simply desert on mass, and would have the autonomy to rally against the politicians. To that end, the current system, along with all the flaws and the corruption will be maintained, and unfortunately as the war is one of Russian aggression, the only people inspired to risk their lives for Kremlin's regime are either Russian ultranationalists or propaganda victims, the latter of which are a shrinking group due to the age of information, or firsthand accounts and experiences in training and then deployment to the front, where they quickly realize the gravitas, or if working logistics, they would at least see the wounded and hear second-hand happenings in the front. Either way, the Russian Khanate will never have a functioning military, because the ultranationalist ranks are thin, and the propagandized pops quickly snap out of it when faced with the abject reality in the front. I don't really see any viable reforms that both maintain the power status quo in the hands of the Kremlin, while allowing autonomy to the troops. The day that happens, the first autonomous decision will be to retreat back to Russia, and that will be the end of that experiment. Arguably, the only semi-autonomous military units are unfortunately the prison-fed PMCs like Wagner, but even they bitch about the lack of support and Kremlin's micromanagement. tl;dr Russian military readiness wasn't great originally, but from the looks of it, it isn't getting better moving forward.

[@genericyoutubecommentnumbe1946]

My dad had to serve in the USSR army for like 3 years, but at the barracks there was a sign hanging which said:" 1 the officer's always right. 2 if he's not, check rule 1." I bet they haven't changed that at all

[@stevenpace892]

It has changed. It has gotten much worse. They have no belief left.

[@robertmaybeth3434]

...I think you are probably right about that. The Russians have been using these stupid tactics since the age of the Tsar and they depend on Russia's advantage in numbers - with no regard whatsoever for the individual soldier.