Article
Russian Military Campaign in Ukraine: Prognosis and Impact

By : Rakesh Sharma

Page No: 305-323

Abstract
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has raised many issues regarding war aims, strategy, military operations and the far reaching consequences. Russian policymakers and political hierarchy must have determined that this war is worth fighting for, with all its costs, consequences and ramifications. Since the 2014 annexation of Crimea, war was on the horizon. For the past eight years Ukraine with NATO military support and training, was preparing for it. The concentration of Russian Forces over months prior to the war was also clearly discernible. The invasion underscores that conventional wars are here to stay, and can commence with limited preparations or notice. It has lessons for India which has faced for the past two years large Chinese forces prepared to invade across its northern borders, and a hostile Pakistan allied with China. The nature of warfare is undergoing dramatic transformation. The Indian armed forces should build combat capabilities, train for and prepare for the current threats and an uncertain future in total consonance with the larger political goals, on whose shoulders must ride the current military doctrine and future military strategy.
Author : 
Lieutenant General (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma has extensive operational experience in Jammu and Kashmir, North-East and on the Western Borders. He commanded the Fire and Fury Corps in Ladakh responsible for Kargil, Siachen Glacier and Eastern Ladakh. He is a Distinguished Fellow with the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF).

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/NS.2022.05.03.2