An interesting new theory has emerged explaining the slow advance of Russia’s armoured convoy into Ukraine, with online experts suggesting that substandard vehicle maintenance and poorly made Chinese tires have delayed Russian approaches.
A week into the conflict, and theories are abound over the state and speed of Russia’s advance into Ukraine. Late last week, media reports cited former Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces Riho Terras, arguing that Russia would not be able to materially or economically sustain its advance into Ukraine for more than ten days. In his analysis, Terras went as far as to suggest that Russia was rationing three to four days reserves of missiles.
Not all analysis has been so dismissive of Russian military and economic capabilities. Recently, Newsweek reported that Russia “has over $630 billion in hard currency reserves” while senior Russian official Viktor Tatarintsev stated bluntly that Russia “doesn’t give a sh*t” about economic sanctions. Russia has also had the opportunity to battleharden and mature their technology throughout the civil war in Syria.
However, there appears to be a level of consensus that the advance of Russian armour has remained conspicuously slow. The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence provided an intelligence update on the 3rd of March that the Russian convoy was delayed by “staunch Ukrainian resistance, mechanical breakdown and congestion. The column has made little discernible progress in over three days.” Their previous update alleged the existence of “ongoing logistical difficulties.”
