Russia's war against Ukraine should 'climax' by summer 2023, says retired U.S. Army major and urban warfare researcher John Spencer.

He noted that he did not agree with forecasts that foreshadowed that the Russian-Ukrainian war would drag on for years.. He explains his position by the fact that Ukraine has increased its capabilities on the battlefield and enjoys the support of the West..

Spencer pointed out that Vladimir Putin's initial strategy of quickly occupying Kyiv had failed.. After that, Moscow tried various methods to drive a wedge between Kyiv and the Western allies, but failed.. Now Russian attempts to destroy Ukrainian infrastructure in order to literally freeze Ukrainians have also failed..

“I think it is clear that Putin is not going to give up his intentions. He doesn't care how many Russian soldiers die. But the Russian army is in very big trouble.. Putin wants to slow down the war. He needs time to at least prepare thousands of people who were forced to join the army.. So far, I do not see a single direction in which the Russian army could attack. Their only goal is to keep what they have already taken.. But I don't think they will succeed in that either,"

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In turn, Claremont McKenna College management professor Hillary Apple pointed out to Newsweek that Russia could receive military assistance from countries such as Iran and North Korea.. Iranian drones have had a strong impact on the course of the war and have also changed the calculations of other countries such as Israel, which have so far kept a low profile due to their own strategic considerations..

“In the first few days in February 2022, the Russian government hoped to overthrow the regime of Vladimir Zelensky, but it did not succeed.. However, it should also be remembered that the most important offensives, which led to the occupation of almost 20% of the territory of Ukraine, also took place at the beginning of the war.. However, due to poor logistics and an inefficient command structure of the Russian army, combined with good training and high motivation of the Ukrainian forces, it was possible to stop the offensive and de-occupy the occupied territories,” Apple said..

San Diego State University political science professor Mikhail Alekseev pointed to new Russian rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. In his opinion, this proves that Russia continues to adhere to its " 0 to conquer Ukraine" Alekseev warned that, despite the significant successes of the Ukrainian army, one should not resort to complacency.

Expert explains that Russia has more ammunition stocks than is commonly believed. In addition, she is able to replenish them quickly.. Also, the Belarusian army under Russian command may join the war against Ukraine.

“Russia is building up manpower to be able to quickly increase the number of troops that can be thrown into battle.. It looks like the Russian strategy is to deplete Ukrainian forces and launch new massive attacks on multiple fronts.. Also, a regular stream of domestic news in Russia indicates that the state is strengthening a long-term military base by introducing three shifts instead of two at weapons factories.. Moscow introduces military training at major universities and insists that all of Ukraine is part of Russia,” Alekseev said..

In turn, Major Spencer said that the Ukrainian army has become the most experienced in the world, because "

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“I think Ukraine will be done with the Russian army by next summer because Russia has no resupply capacity, no allies, and barely enough manpower,” Spencer said..

He stressed that the Russian-Ukrainian war depends more on logistics than on tactics..

“Ukraine will not run out of bullets and soldiers. Russia doesn't have a million soldiers to throw into battle. For this, it is necessary that the survival of Russia be threatened, that it be a battle for the existence of the country.. And the Russians have already shown that they do not believe that this is a war for survival.. That is why more men have fled the country than have mobilized,” explained the US military.