Experts tell The Economist that the Russian military has a problem

Ukraine’s weapons shortage has been long talked about, but the same problem appears to be plaguing Russia, which is suffering heavy equipment losses.

A respected financial magazine economist Russia, which has shifted to a war economy, has been able to replace lost tanks, armored vehicles and artillery by digging Soviet-era equipment out of warehouses, the article wrote.

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According to the newspaper, the vast majority of intelligence reports say Russia has lost between 3,000 and 5,000 armored vehicles in Ukraine. Rice There is photographic or video evidence that at least 3,243 tanks were destroyed, damaged, abandoned, or captured. The correct number is likely higher.

The Soviet legacy helps Putin

Analyst at the Stockholm Center for Eastern European Studies think tank Alexander Goltz Pointed out to The Economist Vladimir Putin You can thank the Politburo for its tank stockpiles. During the Cold War, Soviet leaders knew that Western weaponry was more advanced, so they relied on quantity rather than quality. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union produced a large number of armored vehicles in preparation for war.

Russian experts Pavel Ruzin The European Policy Analysis Centre, a think tank, told The Economist that it is now more difficult for Russia to produce new tanks or armored vehicles to replace those that have been destroyed. The reason is a shortage of components. Russia has already run out of parts for the tanks it planned to produce by 2025 and has stopped getting important parts from Europe due to sanctions.

Support from North Korea

Wall Street Journal Already in February, it was estimated that if Russia’s own production began to decline, it might have to rely on help from China, Iran and North Korea. Strengthened their relationship Go to North Korea to receive weapons shipped to Russia. With the help of North Korea, Russia has enough ammunition in Ukraine.

According to the Wall Street Journal, some researchers believe that Russia has exaggerated its military production. For example, Russia does not list new armored vehicles and repaired models dug out of its inventory in its chapter.

Meanwhile, the production chain for Soviet-era equipment was wiped out at the end of the Cold War. During the Soviet era, Ukraine, Georgia and East Germany were important producers of Russian weapons, but with the collapse of the communist bloc, supplies stopped.

Poor warehouse condition

The International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank estimated in February that Russia has about 3,200 tanks in its inventory. However, most of them are estimated to be in poor condition because they have been stored since the early 1990s.

Experts Goltz and Luzin predicted to The Economist that, judging from the current situation, Russia’s stockpiles will begin to be depleted in the second half of the year. This may mean that on the battlefield you have to dig in defensive positions instead of advancing.