Russia's Finance Ministry will auction large rough diamonds from state reserves, seeking funds amid mounting war costs and following a record gold selloff.
The key is simply ensuring that Ukraine survives whatever Putin’s planning next. This sell-off might be to fund a troop surge. There’s zero chance that Putin loses the war without at least attempting a general mobilization first. Regardless of how badly it would have the potential to backfire, it’s definitely a desperation tactic that Putin will at least attempt before admitting defeat. Ukraine’s strategy is working at the moment, but in much the same way that Ukraine attacking Russia’s economic resources is putting Russia under pressure, Russia stretching Ukraine’s manpower could put Ukraine under pressure.
In the recent drama between Fedorov and Syrskyi, one of the things Syrskyi mentioned at his dismissal was how complicated troop procurement has been. The West can loan Ukraine money, but it can’t help with Ukraine’s manpower. So whether or not Ukraine’s drone strategy can still neutralize Russia’s manpower advantage if Russia issues a general mobilization order is a question I’ve been worrying about.
More boots on the ground with a crumbling logistics footprint is not a winning offensive move. It can sort of work on a defensive footing, but without transportation, food, medical, fire support, etc its just a slowly shambling mass casualty event trying to take ground.
Russia has vaulted Ukraine to a world power in drone technology. Entire battles are being fought with land, sea and air drones. Ukraine has developed a very lucrative arms industry that has countries beating paths to their door and forming alliances with them. Russia is sending their lifeblood to be slaughtered - that will bite them badly.
The key is simply ensuring that Ukraine survives whatever Putin’s planning next. This sell-off might be to fund a troop surge. There’s zero chance that Putin loses the war without at least attempting a general mobilization first. Regardless of how badly it would have the potential to backfire, it’s definitely a desperation tactic that Putin will at least attempt before admitting defeat. Ukraine’s strategy is working at the moment, but in much the same way that Ukraine attacking Russia’s economic resources is putting Russia under pressure, Russia stretching Ukraine’s manpower could put Ukraine under pressure.
In the recent drama between Fedorov and Syrskyi, one of the things Syrskyi mentioned at his dismissal was how complicated troop procurement has been. The West can loan Ukraine money, but it can’t help with Ukraine’s manpower. So whether or not Ukraine’s drone strategy can still neutralize Russia’s manpower advantage if Russia issues a general mobilization order is a question I’ve been worrying about.
More boots on the ground with a crumbling logistics footprint is not a winning offensive move. It can sort of work on a defensive footing, but without transportation, food, medical, fire support, etc its just a slowly shambling mass casualty event trying to take ground.
Russia has vaulted Ukraine to a world power in drone technology. Entire battles are being fought with land, sea and air drones. Ukraine has developed a very lucrative arms industry that has countries beating paths to their door and forming alliances with them. Russia is sending their lifeblood to be slaughtered - that will bite them badly.