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In the fall of 2024, in the Battle of Kursk, the Ukraine army suffered a crushing defeat. This battle not only caused heavy losses to Ukraine, but also dealt a heavy blow to the entire country. What exactly caused this fiasco? Is the Ukraine army underestimating the strength of its opponents? Or are their tactics outdated?
During the battle, the Ukrainian army lost a staggering 11,800 soldiers and 649 combat vehicles. The tragic situation on the battlefield is unbearable to look at, the morale of the Ukrainian army collapsed, and the will to fight was lost. This defeat is not only a military setback, but also a heavy blow to the confidence of the Ukraine state.
The Pre-War Fog: Intelligence Failures or Overconfidence?
Before the Battle of Kursk broke out, the Ukraine military seemed confident about the upcoming battle. They believe that with the advanced weapons and equipment provided by the West and long-term war experience, it is enough to deal with the offensive of the Russian army. This self-confidence proved to be fatal.
A Ukrainian commander, who did not want to be named, later recalled: "We were too confident and thought we had the initiative on the battlefield. Who knew that the Russian army had long been aware of our deployment, and we were caught off guard. "
The Russian army uses advanced reconnaissance technology and knows the deployment of the Ukrainian army well. At the same time, the intelligence system of the Ukrainian army failed to detect the true intentions of the Russian army in time. This kind of intelligence disadvantage directly led to the passivity of the Ukrainian army in the early stage of the campaign.
Some military experts pointed out that Ukraine may rely too much on the intelligence provided by the West and neglect the construction of its own intelligence system. One military commentator wrote on social media: "Advanced weapons are not enough, and even the best weapons are useless if you don't even know where the enemy is." "
Lack of firepower: where does the equipment advantage go?
In the Battle of Kursk, the losses of equipment of the Ukrainian army were shocking. 649 combat vehicles were destroyed, a figure that begs the question: where did Ukraine's vaunted equipment superiority go?
A Ukrainian tank soldier who participated in the battle recalled: "As soon as our tank appeared, it was hit with precision. The firepower of the Russian army was so fierce that we did not have the strength to fight back at all. "
Some analysts believe that the Ukrainian army may have underestimated the firepower configuration of the Russian army. The Russian army is not only superior in quantity, but also significantly improved in quality. A military expert said in an interview with the media: "The Russian army has invested heavily in military modernization in recent years, and their firepower strike capabilities have changed from what they used to be. "
There are also questions about whether the Ukrainian army really made full use of the weapons in its hands. A retired military officer posted on social media: "We have so many advanced weapons, why did we end up like this? Is there a problem with the command level? "
Command confusion: a fatal consequence of a loss of communication
In modern warfare, the importance of the chain of command is self-evident. In the Battle of Kursk, the command system of the Ukrainian army fell into unprecedented chaos.
A Ukrainian signal soldier who participated in the battle described: "Our communication equipment suddenly failed, and we could not contact the command at all. Everyone didn't know what to do, so they had to fight on their own. "
Some experts have analyzed that the Russian army may have used advanced electronic jamming equipment to cut off the communication lines of the Ukrainian army. This led to the fact that the front-line troops were unable to receive timely instructions and report the actual situation to the command.
One military commentator wrote in his blog: "In modern warfare, whoever can maintain effective command and control will seize the initiative on the battlefield." It was very much in this battle that the Ukrainian army completely lost this capability. "
Logistical dilemma: the breakage of the supply line
In the Battle of Kursk, the Ukrainian army not only faced fierce attacks from the front, but also encountered serious problems with supply lines in the rear.
A Ukrainian army officer who was in charge of logistics recalled: "The front line was in dire need of ammunition and fuel, but supply convoys were always attacked. Sometimes, you can't get a single supply truck out for the whole day. "
The Russian army seems to have carried out a "decapitation operation", prioritizing strikes on the supply lines and command centers of the Ukrainian army. This strategy put the Ukrainian army in a dilemma: the offensive did not have enough supplies, and the retreat was fearful of losing positions.
Some military experts pointed out that the Ukrainian army may have underestimated the importance of logistics support in modern warfare. One commentator wrote on social media: "No matter how elite a unit is, without ammunition and fuel, it can only become a live target." "
Where to go from here: Reflection and reconstruction
The fiasco in the Battle of Kursk undoubtedly sounded the alarm for Ukraine. This defeat not only exposed the shortcomings of the Ukrainian army in terms of equipment, command, logistics, etc., but also raised questions about Ukraine's overall military strategy.
Some argue that Ukraine needs to take a comprehensive look at its military system, from strategy to tactics, and that it needs to be overhauled. "We can no longer rely on outdated tactics and unrealistic illusions," a military expert said in an interview. We must face reality squarely and reformulate a strategy that suits the characteristics of modern warfare. "
There are also fears that the fiasco could shake Ukraine's national will. One political commentator wrote in his column: "Defeat is temporary, but if we lose faith because of it, it is a real failure." "
The crushing defeat in the Battle of Kursk dealt a heavy blow to Ukraine. But history teaches us that every failure contains valuable lessons. Can Ukraine learn from this painful experience and regroup? The answer to this question may only be given by time.