Ukraine’s war is an orchestra - and its generals conduct operational art | Defence in Depth

Conducted by a commander who then directs his or her staff to explore specific ideas, operational art is a military activity. It starts once the political leadership has decided quite why the military lever of national power is to be employed.
This is expressed in what is known as the End State, which should describe the military situation that is required to make possible the desired political outcome. Once the commander knows this end state, he or she will then know what’s expected of them and where the limits are.
Even if the political and military leadership are in alignment, identifying the end state is tricky. Look at Ukraine. Is shoving Russian forces back to the lines of Feb 23rd last year good enough? It’s arguably an easier task for the military than ejecting them from the whole country. But will that only store up problems for the future? Is it domestically acceptable?
#ukraine #strategy #war #russia
Find our Defence in Depth playlist here: • Defence in Depth | The...
For our podcast Ukraine: The Latest, visit: • Ukraine: The Latest | ...
Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now:
www.telegraph.co.uk/customer/...
Get the latest headlines: www.telegraph.co.uk/
Telegraph.co.uk and / telegraphtv are websites of The Telegraph, the UK's best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.

[@katikati113]

Thanks Dom! As always fantastic analysis. Along with your brilliant humor, "The airforce haven't settled their hotel bills." OMG, I laughed out loud!

[@mylucidlife495]

I came here to mention the same thing. Nonmilitary folks may not get it, but some of us get it all too well. It is funny to see from a professional style commentary. 3:20 for anyone wondering.

[@anypercentdeathless]

Maybe just the voice next time, though.

[@estebanrocha8904]

Me as ex-paratrooper: I understood that reference

[@TheDeadbone1961]

Pardon, but my hotel bill was always settled the night before I went wheels-up.

[@ScienceChap]

Ex British Army (RA). Top RAF bants Dom. Love it!

[@philwilson3251]

"The airforce haven't settled their hotel bills." 🤣🤣🤣

[@Notreallyoverit]

You'd never guess he was in the army...

[@dozz0118]

On a par with the ancient reference to Transport(Air Support) Command as 'eating command'!@@Notreallyoverit

[@larsrons7937]

Very informative, well explained. "Defense in Depth" is a brilliant series, keep'em coming. Cheers from Denmark.

[@marcm.]

Love how much can be said, without saying it at all. Excellently well crafted video

[@connmallon]

I'm not a Telegraph reader, but I find your analysis one of the best available. Please keep us advised.

[@airjay1966]

Brilliant. King fishers and looking at wars through drinking straws. Fortissimo my friend!

[@mm00000]

A well written script, delivered superbly. I always watch these videos in full.

[@no-barknoonan1335]

Brilliant commentary on how damaging the endless pressure from the west is on Ukraine and our cohesive morale. We should be amping each other up to fight as long as we need to, we need one of those "we shall fight on the beaches" type speeches right about now. We can and will win, but it takes willpower and strength.

[@VsevolodSidorenko]

To win Ukraine needs enough modern weapons. 300 km range ATACMS not 150

[@sumiland6445]

💛💙💜💙💛 GIVE UKRAINIANS EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO DRIVE RUSSIANZ OUT OF UKRAINE!! ALL OF IT!! 🇺🇦 🌏 🇺🇸

[@ballatinesfinesse2753]

@@VsevolodSidorenko that still not a game changer

[@VsevolodSidorenko]

@@ballatinesfinesse2753 200 such missiles are a game changer enough to cripple russian ligistics and take back all territories

[@sathivv950]

I am from the USA and I get particularly annoyed when I see comments claiming Ukraine should be grateful for the help they are getting. When in reality it is the rest of the world that should be grateful for the sacrifice Ukraine is making for all of us.

[@_DREBBEL_]

I wasn’t here for any news, as I’m really up to date. I’m here for the man himself, Dom. Thanks a million brother.

[@kit888]

Strategy - overall plan for the war aligned with political objectives including where to fight. Tactics - how to fight a battle. Operations - middle layer that links strategy and tactics, how to transition from one battle to the next.

[@barrylawrence6727]

Very well thought through and presented analysis of overall state of play.

[@DIYPackraft]

Great video, Dom and team!

[@steve-real]

3:20 “And the Air Force haven’t yet settled their hotel bills…”” 😂😂😂🤣 Dom is seriously funny. Classic Brit humor.

[@hognado4075]

oh that last little dig against Canada.... As a Canadian, across the pond, i have to say i am deeply embarrassed by our leadership. In the past, Trudeau was at least a handsome face, if not a very effectual leader (some would describe him as a "stuffed shirt"). But now he is very ineffectual. And embarrassing. Time for a change.

[@laurie9557]

Does the opposition support Ukraine?

[@RKelly-ri6tc]

@@laurie9557I *believe* the CPC supports Ukraine but many supporters of the CPC want to see a negotiated end to the conflict or the reduction of Canadian donations to Ukraine. Not saying everyone in the CPC is pro Ukraine or all of their supporters are anti-Ukraine but there’s at least a very vocal portion of CPC supporters are “anti-Ukraine”. That’s just my general assessment of things though, I’d invite anybody planning on voting for CPC to weigh in.

[@BouncyTownRentals]

Ukraine has blanket support across the country@@laurie9557

[@runrau9275]

@@RKelly-ri6tc As a Consevative at heart most people I am around who say will vote conservative support Ukraine. Having said that I am in a small community and I have heard that in the cities there is alot of Carlson/Trump listeners that may screw that up if th CPC were to gain power.

[@user-bu9ju5ic9h]

Hey, cut the guy some slack. It’s not his fault he’s in above his head. Since the missus left, there’s no one with the smarts to all the shots.

[@caretakerfochr3834]

Hands down the best Ukraine war analysis - that's how I discovered the Telegraph - and I reckon it will remain in my news feed after this conflict has ended...whenever that may be. Respected, from OZ.

[@59markr]

Always a cut above. Thanks Dom, thanks Tele. Slava Ukraini!

[@nicolasiden4074]

Thanks for the support 🇺🇦. Heroyam Slava!

[@portaltwo]

Engage brain before opening mouth (8:17). As a Canadian, I find this verbal-photographic juxtaposition both brilliant and embarrassing. Well done.

[@funkiwi44]

Absolutely brilliant! Love your work!

[@chriss6637]

This is one of the best overall assessments I've seen. Havent heard anyone else call out the "soda straws" we're getting. Well done!

[@charlesmarch6435]

Good analysis. The whole picture is not obvious, no matter how much we want it or wish it to be.

[@kiwihame]

I find the big picture in this war, as much as we can see, fascinating. It looks very much to me like Ukraine is playing 4D Chess, with many moments of tactical brilliance. Russian strategy looks oddly confused and uncoordinated by comparison. Love your work team. And Slava Ukraini! 🇳🇿💙💛🇺🇦

[@louislux]

Well said. At any point of the war the Ukraine strategy makes sense. Russia by contrast has had some really baffling strategies, freezing Europe, attacking civilian targets, and capturing bakhmut at all costs. I think their strategy now is to hold on until the west loses interest.

[@Justintdot]

Yea I’m sure all there dead soldiers think the same thing

[@AidanS99]

I wouldn’t say uncoordinated. But I would say, Basic. Just tried and true strategy defensively. Trenches and mines. It’s clear however that Ukraine’s ingenuity is proving that basic isn’t enough. For no matter how long this is taking, Russia still loses ground and forces in needless counterattacks.

[@user-jv4rz2hd1q]

When this war is over there will be no more Ukraine left...

[@feedyourmind6713]

Tactics and strategy are two different things.

[@mdddaq6]

THAT WAS BRILLIANT!!! RESPECT!! It is refreshing to know there still a few PROFESSIONALS left in the information biz! Respect! 🏴‍☠️

[@marinaclarasanchezsuarez2905]

When the cold comes and young russian soldiers hear defenses crumble, they take their backpacks and flee home to spend winter hidden by family until End of war next summer. It happens in All wars. Go Ukraine ⭐To Victory ⭐💙💛🇪🇺

[@maggieliz1059]

One can only hope so.

[@davelowe1977]

Russian military doctrine does not typically involve holding territory so that behaviour is entirely normal and predictable. They will win this eventually.

[@maggieliz1059]

@@davelowe1977 Yes, if Russia fails to hold territory, Ukraine will win this war eventually. We must continue to support Ukraine.

[@Nebris]

"The air force hasn't settled its hotel bill." 🤣🤣

[@brentdallyn8459]

As orchestras go, I would say Zelensky is conducting a top drawer symphony... Putin however, has a broken 'G' string.

[@branthurley2285]

Communication on such critical issues with Dom's clarity is rare & appreciated. Thanks.

[@jimp01]

Just wish that more people could understand this message.

[@jamestagg2152]

This is a great explanation of the dynamics to modern warfare.

[@TroPy1n]

Helmuth von Moltke was a Field Marshall and brilliant war strategist in the 19th Century. He first coined the term "no plan survives contact with the enemy".

[@casard5235]

Thanks for the reminder on the complex underpinnings of combat, Dom. Much appreciated. Tally-ho. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

[@brokenplanet7948]

My daily podcast listen ….top stuff 👍

[@123Thucydides]

Great analysis Dominic! Always love your analysis and most of your wit. Complicated ideas made simple and sprinkled with military humour. Keep up the good work 👍

[@Walker82313]

Coordination of audio and visual messages is greatly appreciated!

[@charliebrenton4421]

Absolutely the best Ukraine War coverage. Dom is a legend! Cheers to the Telegraph team! Slava Ukraine! 🇺🇦 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇩🇪

[@christopherthomas9976]

This explainer of the Operational Art could be used in US Army schoolhouses. Great job!

[@markb8468]

Great work Dom. Thanks!

[@Nonyobiz]

"a Division is the smallest formation that is a complete orchestra of war." - Slim

[@GALLATINUS]

One of the best analysis of defence out there with a healthy dose of cheeky British humor. Love it.

[@bongosock]

A very balanced and thoughtful piece - many thanks :)

[@yodismet]

The best coverage and presenter on the war. Keep it up and we'll keep watching. Great work!

[@gerryshinners7258]

First class presentation covering the realities confronted by operational commanders and the need for a clear and properly laid out strategic plan which runs through to the end state.

[@walterweigert9840]

I agree with your analysis, It reminds me of what Gens. "Chuck" Horner and "Buster" Glosom geniously designed on air superiority over Irak in Desert Storm. It was so detailed and even so flexible it made posible to add about 100 new targets to their main plan to prevent Israel to join that conflict thretening the coalission to break after Sadam ordered launching the wrongly called Scuds over Tel Aviv. Greetings from NE Patagonia, Argentina. (An aviation enthusiast).

[@lloydfrancisco5287]

Wow. What an analysis.

[@SandraSmith-vr2lc]

Nicely done, Dom. Always enjoy your stories.

[@anyagaming3953]

Topic to cover. What percentage of the millions of dollars/pounds stay within the country of origin replacing out dated technology that is then pledged to support ukraine. Also are some countries using pledges to modernisation there own defence networks at natos expense

[@DS9TREK]

There is no NATO expense because NATO has no money. The individual members spend on their own defence and NATO is leadership structure that would allow the allies to easily work as one during a war. The only country seriously replacing donated kit with new kit is Poland. For example, they've given 300 Soviet tanks to Ukraine and ordered 1000 brand new K2 tanks from South Korea as replacement. Likewise, Poland has ordered 500 HIMARs from the US to replace donated artillery pieces. Most of the other allies, the UK for example, simply aren't replacing what has been sent to Ukraine.

[@johnjehovah8631]

I always think of operational art when I see a spring summer fall offensive. $lava

[@gregoneil2050]

As a Canadian Military operational planner, this video absolutely nailed it!

[@timandsuzidickey9358]

Well Done. thanks. !!

[@cenccenc946]

There is a reason THAT book is titled, "The Art of War". 😆

[@arthurrubents]

Exactly. 😆 I love the correlation between Artistic Handling and Nuanced Military Thinking. 💯

[@simonshkilevich3032]

Great video, wow!

[@michaelk5825]

'Drinking straws!" How picturesque!

[@effigy06]

I really have no idea how all this will play out, but I always enjoy and learn from Dominic's analysis. Good stuff

[@tractorpoodle]

Superb

[@CatalystD9]

Look forward to every new post 😎

[@djscotty06]

Well done Dom. Loved the sneaky snipe at the Air Force 👍🇳🇿

[@tomasznojmiler7667]

I needed many years to learn what the commentator just said in few words:-). Easy to say, much harder to make it happen though...SLAVA UKRAINIE!!!

[@chris-hg3iv]

Slava Russia and congrats to Taliban for defeating the homosexual pervert invaders.

[@Abel_Aravi]

Shame on Ukraine, which betrayed its people!

[@Scaleyback317]

Yet another little gem well worth the effort of making a brew and sitting back and digesting it fully. Excellent.

[@stugillis]

Most excellent piece Sir

[@MaramaoMaramao]

Great Dom, bravo!

[@kerriwilson7732]

"Engage brain before opening mouth" Perfect timing 🤣💕🇨🇦

[@gavincassidy3276]

Brill from Mr Dom as per usual

[@allo-other]

8:17 Such an apt thumbnail. His father, Pierre, he is not.

[@sumiland6445]

💛💙💜💙💛 The Fog of War is where all but the critical few should dwell 🤫 We should all be shoving more than sufficient weapons to Ukrainians ASAP!! 🇺🇦 🌏 🇺🇸

[@PObermanns]

"Engage brain - before operating mouth". An old military adage - and so true!

[@aaronngui7938]

Always looking forward to these clear and concise analysis and commentary.

[@brandonhamilton833]

I always appreciate Dom's input and analysis.

[@peterszabo1874]

Éljen Ukrajna! Glory to Ukraine! Хай живе Україна! Glory to Ukraine and the HEROES of 🇺🇦!!!

[@seanrenard8171]

Excellent Dom, amusing too

[@clausbecker9350]

I took a subscription for the Telegraph because of the Ukraine coverage, which deserves support. Not so happy to see how reactionary the paper is though

[@jamesgordon8867]

Praying Ukraine has leadership 😊

[@shaneconnor86]

an in-depth analysis of wave tops - quite a feat!

[@Lag-fs7px]

Love this series

[@Agnemons]

Ukraine could go on the rampage and do a full on assault on Tokmak and Malitipol. They might even succeed but the cost would just about ruin the nation. The way the Russians are fighting hasn't done them any good. Russia has had significantly higher losses in both men and material the Ukraine has so far. Ukraine is fighting to win and to do that they need as many of those men and women that are fighting to come home as is possible. The more Ukrainians that survive the war the stronger Ukraine is.

[@Nabagabo22]

Excellent overview...

[@KrisKortright]

This is awesome, my hat is off sir. Very well done, I enjoy your work!

[@Kfsvjgt]

Good report!!

[@d.diggler9936]

Well said.

[@sturlavik-vestly6361]

Wow! Amazing

[@MichelDeiman]

Thanks, Got a boost after listening to your podcast!!

[@Thinkingnamesishard]

That dig at Chair force...

[@petrokitsul2070]

Fingers crossed. Looking forward to it 🏆

[@mikelanglow-bi2sv]

Thankyou

[@JORIS1234HOTMAIL]

Always very nice hear your analysis 😊

[@bro_dBow]

Great stuff!

[@robertricketts5467]

Bang on analysis Dom!

[@mariaboza8897]

Brilliant!

[@ShemNero]

well said!

[@suswanto4777]

Orchestra with 500k dead body as instruments. Nice analogy

[@arnihallgrimsson1078]

Veeery very good analysis!

[@cavediver74]

Bravo!

[@ianbray5946]

Excellent 👌

[@Paul-dv4dr]

Beware of any person who sees beauty in war - they have gone beyond.

[@Morgs914]

Great piece Dom

[@bernhardeiling3265]

Excellent

[@alexeykulikov2739]

Wow!

[@fuzexi]

Great commentary as usual!

[@fanny3942]

This is a great and informative video! I loved it and set it as my favorite 🤩 😊

[@everyoneeverywhere6570]

Same awesome standard as usual Dom

[@leighbakeruk]

brilliant analysis as always

[@OzzCyrus]

Really enjoy these weekly videos and the host is fantastic. great job team !