Hahn says it includes a group of about 10-15% Russians, represented by nationalist media and bloggers. And so there’s disagreement within that field. “There’s even extreme discussion of Russia’s conduct during the war,” he says. ‘On the one hand, you have bloggers like Igor Girkin, who we know as sentenced to life in prison due to his involvement in the MH17 disaster. People like him say that Russian actions are going nowhere and that Ukraine needs to be destroyed as soon as possible.’
But those claims are in stark contrast to what nationalist websites and media write. According to Hahn, those media outlets are only positive about Russia and Russian tactics. “They write that Ukraine has only one supply route left, because the Russians keep the surrounding villages,” he continues. “And then the city center can be taken without bloodshed. They are two very different stories.”
The truth?
According to Hahn it is not possible to find two narratives, but one unequivocal truth. The British security services confirm that Russia is suffering heavy losses. “Just to achieve that encirclement.”
Hahn stresses that the Russians’ supposedly successful tactic of encircling villages in their entirety will not be enough to take control of the entire Donbass in March. Still, it’s an effective method, adds foreign commentator Bernard Hammelburg. “Conquering or occupying the land in this way is slow, but it is itself a sure method. It costs people and equipment, but you move.’
There is no shortage of manpower
And Russia is able to maintain that tactic for some time because there is no shortage of men, Hammelburg says. (…). Putin once said that Russia has two things: time and people. And it is,’ he says. “If you look at Russian military history, you see that Russia is willing to sacrifice – in our view – unimaginable amounts of human lives to achieve its goal. And they have patience.’
Hammelburg points out that the Western mentality is much more impatient. “We think the spring offensive should come now, the tanks should come now, the F-16s should come now, so we are impatient,” concludes Hammelburg, even though Hahn dares to doubt the Russians’ patience.
Especially the people in the Kremlin or Commander Gerasimov, who is ordered to conquer Donbass in March. “He’ll never succeed,” Hahn said. “I think the timing is right with the Ukrainians, rather than the Russians.”