Sir Andrew Wood speaks on Sky News.Twitter/Sky News
Russians are shocked to see their military so “incompetent,” said the former British ambassador to Russia.
Sir Andrew Wood said Russian citizens “have counted on” their military to win fast in Ukraine.
Instead, the situation was “such a terrible shock to her,” he said.
The former British ambassador to Russia said Russian citizens were shocked that the country’s military was “incompetent” during the invasion of Ukraine.
Sir Andrew Wood, who was British Ambassador to Yugoslavia from 1985 to 1989 and to Russia from 1995 to 2000, made the statement to Sky News on Tuesday.
“It came as a shock to the Russians to reveal themselves as so militarily incompetent,” he said.
He added that the Russians had thought their military would be able to seize Ukraine quickly and that Russia could then rule over them – a scenario that has not materialized some 40 days later.
“It’s also a complete contrast to what they not only expected, but counted on – it wasn’t just the speed of their victory, they thought, but also that afterwards they would actually be able to, Ukraine.” to rule. “
Wood also said he believes large numbers of Russians believed war crimes allegations against Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite government censorship related to the invasion.
“I think a large part of the Russian people will suspect that it’s true and that all sorts of emotional forces will make them very, very keen to deny it,” he said.
“They had great confidence in their armed forces, more confidence in them than the government in general. And it’s such a terrible shock to her.”
The US and Britain, along with other Western countries, have exchanged intelligence assessments that say Russia expects rapid progress in conquering Ukraine.
Instead, Russia’s efforts have stalled in the face of fierce Ukrainian resistance and apparent problems with logistics, planning, and coordination among Russian forces. Ukraine has also retaken some areas from Russian forces.
Russia also suffered heavy losses from its troops, including a large number of generals.
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