Why winter can be beneficial for Ukraine

Brussels, Berlin The myth of the Russian army is fueled by its stamina. Napoleon was able to defeat the Russians, later the Nazis. In both cases the winter was a decisive factor. Cold and snow bothered the attackers from the west and gave the Russian defenders an opportunity to gather and prepare a counteroffensive.

But in the Ukraine war, the Russians will not be able to rely on falling temperatures to give them any advantages. The coming onset of winter is more likely to help the Ukrainians. It’s not just because this time the Russians are the invaders, not the defenders. The problems lie deeper: in the ramshackle structures of the Russian army.

According to NATO, the Russians are surprisingly poorly prepared for the winter. They lack tents, sleeping bags and warm clothing. Mobile phone videos from Russian barracks near the front seem to prove this.