The Achilles Heel of Russian Artillery: Why Ukraine’s Victory is Closer Than You Think

 

Russia's war machine is nothing but an illusion, sustained only by fear and artillery shells, both of which Ukraine is primed to destroy from within. With a well-organized sabotage force, Ukraine can bring Russia’s war effort crashing down, revealing Putin's empire as nothing more than a crumbling relic.

In the Russia-Ukraine war, artillery has been both a weapon of destruction and a strategic tool for the Russians. But there’s a twist – it could also be their undoing. Like a double-edged sword, the very power that Russia relies on in the Ukrainian region of Donbas may turn into their greatest vulnerability. If Ukraine can figure out a way to cripple the supply chains that fuel this artillery strength, it may just turn the tide of the conflict and end the war in a matter of days. The key lies not in meeting fire with fire, but in finding a way to neutralize Russia’s artillery from behind the scenes – a disruption of supply that could bring the Russian war machine to its knees.

Russia’s use of artillery has defined much of the war in the eastern region of Ukraine. According to military experts, Russia has been using its artillery not just to target Ukrainian forces, but to create a psychological edge by constantly bombarding areas with shelling. However, as history has shown in wars such as World War II, overreliance on a single tactic, no matter how powerful, can be a double-edged sword. What works as an overwhelming advantage can turn into a devastating weakness once the enemy discovers how to outmaneuver it.

At the heart of Russia’s artillery strength are their ammunition depots and supply lines. Without a steady supply of shells, missiles, and rockets, even the largest guns become useless. For Ukraine, the focus should be on these supply lines. If Ukraine can successfully disrupt these, Russia’s artillery advantage would disappear like sand slipping through fingers.

One effective strategy for Ukraine would be to create a top-secret special force dedicated solely to finding and sabotaging Russia’s ammunition storage. This task force would combine modern technology with the help of internal Russian saboteurs. And here lies the crux: reports suggest there are plenty of willing saboteurs within Russia and even within the Russian military, who are disillusioned with President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts. Ukrainian intelligence agencies have claimed to have identified individuals ready to work against the Russian regime from the inside. If Ukraine can tap into this network, they could severely compromise Russia’s war efforts.

The sabotage would not be a traditional battlefield operation but a covert and relentless attack on Russia’s war machine from within. There have already been rumors circulating about mysterious explosions at Russian ammunition depots and military supply centers, though many of these incidents remain unconfirmed by official sources. These may not be mere accidents, and the potential for widespread sabotage is real. In fact, just in August 2023, an explosion at a military depot in Crimea caused significant damage, disrupting Russian logistics in the region.

Technology would play a crucial role. Using satellite imagery, drone reconnaissance, and sophisticated tracking, Ukraine’s special force could pinpoint Russia’s ammunition depots and then strike with precision. By coordinating with internal saboteurs, these locations could be marked, infiltrated, and destroyed. Disrupting the Russian army’s access to ammunition would render its artillery useless, and the loss of their primary strength could demoralize the Russian troops, potentially leading to a collapse of their offensive capabilities.

One of the most famous examples of supply line sabotage in military history was the destruction of Nazi Germany’s fuel depots during World War II. Allied forces, understanding that Germany’s tanks and aircraft were dependent on oil, concentrated efforts on bombing fuel reserves. This strategy was key to defeating the seemingly unstoppable German war machine. Ukraine could replicate this approach by focusing on ammunition depots, the lifeblood of Russia’s artillery.

The idea of using internal saboteurs is not as far-fetched as it might seem. Putin’s war effort has faced increasing dissent, both within Russia and the Russian military. In fact, there are growing reports of sabotage, desertions, and low morale among Russian forces. The discontent is particularly high among conscripts and poorly paid soldiers who are being sent into the war without proper equipment or training. If Ukraine can capitalize on this unrest, it could create an army of saboteurs working from the inside, effectively undermining Russia’s war effort.

It is no secret that Ukraine has already had some success in recruiting agents within Russia. Over the course of the war, there have been several high-profile defections from Russian officials and soldiers who have either switched sides or provided valuable intelligence to Ukraine. For example, in 2022, the Ukrainian government revealed that several Russian officers had secretly passed on information that helped Ukraine win crucial battles.

Ukraine should take these small victories and build on them. By massively expanding its network of informants and saboteurs, it could launch a coordinated attack on Russia’s supply lines and ammunition depots, leading to a significant weakening of Russia’s artillery advantage. This effort would require secrecy, speed, and precision – qualities that Ukraine has already demonstrated in its successful drone strikes and behind-enemy-lines operations.

While Ukraine has shown courage in face-to-face combat, trying to outgun Russia’s artillery directly has proven costly and ineffective. The key to victory may lie not in meeting Russia head-on but in outsmarting them from behind. If Ukraine can cut off Russia’s ammunition supply, the artillery that has terrorized the Donbas region would be silenced, and Russia’s forces would be left scrambling without their most powerful weapon.

A victory in Donbas, fueled by these covert operations, could force Putin into an impossible position. Without artillery support, Russian troops would face insurmountable odds in Ukraine, leading to a quick collapse in their fighting spirit. This would put pressure on Putin, whose already shaky grip on power could be further weakened by a humiliating defeat. Reports of dissatisfaction within his inner circle and the general population could boil over, forcing the Kremlin to rethink its military strategy.

In plain terms, artillery is Russia’s strength, but it’s also their Achilles’ heel. If Ukraine can figure out a way to exploit this weakness by attacking Russia’s supply lines and ammunition depots, the war may be over much sooner than anyone expected. With internal saboteurs ready to assist and the technology to carry out precision strikes, Ukraine has the opportunity to turn the tide of war in their favor.

And when that day comes, perhaps the world will finally see that Putin’s mighty war machine was nothing more than a house of cards held together by artillery shells and false bravado.