RUSSIA’S EMBRACE OF ATTRITIONAL WARFARE: "WINNING BY NOT LOSING"

Abstract: This paper argues that once President Putin was no longer able to achieve his initial objectives of regime change in Kyiv in 2022 by using blitzkrieg operations, Russia’s grand strategy underwent a reassessment towards narrower strategic objectives. This paper will provide an account of the changing nature of Russia’s strategic aims and goals, as well as exploring the ‘Russian’ way of warfare. The shift in war aims is evident in the partial mobilisation of fresh troops, the annexation of Ukrainian territory and waging of a war of attrition. Russia has increased its military budget, the manufacturing of weaponry, as well as the import of military technology from Iran and North Korea. However, NATO allies, including Romania, have provided military aid to Kyiv to continue fighting. Taking all these factors into account, this paper argues this conflict has become a ‘long war’ of attrition.