- The challenges of waging modern warfare are vividly illustrated by Russia’s ongoing offensive against Ukraine.
- A less visible aspect is the need for a robust logistical network to sustain forward forces.
- For US special operators, the war is a reminder that such networks may not always be available.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has brought new attention to the challenges of large-scale interstate conflict.
rear year of battle, the world has learned a lot about what it takes to wage modern warfare. Russia continues to struggle to meet its goals, even though it has scaled back its ambitions after the first months of the war.So far, Moscow has lost an estimated 200,000 troops.
Access to heavy weapons, sufficient ammunition, and the willingness to fight between armies were key factors in the performance of both sides, as was the ability to set up effective logistics enterprises.
According to US Special Operations leaders in Europe, Russia’s logistical struggle in Ukraine means that in a major war, US special forces will survive without the logistical “tethers” they have relied on in past conflicts. shows.
Logistics and Ukraine
Ukrainian soldiers reload Grad multi-rocket rockets in Donetsk Oblast in November.
Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
U.S. Air Force Rear Admiral Stephen Edwards, commander of Special Operations Command Europe, outlined some of SOCEUR’s lessons learned from Ukraine at an event hosted by the New America think tank in September.
Edwards said one of his command’s biggest hurdles to becoming more effective in Ukraine was finding a way to remotely support Ukrainian forces, as US troops withdrew from the country just before Russia struck. is.
“Trying to get equipment and resources to our partners proved to be very difficult,” Edwards said, pointing to the logistics required to “actually move from one country within Ukraine.” bottom.
One of the major logistical hurdles facing the Ukrainian military is obtaining adequate ammunition and spare parts on the front lines. Over the past year, many Western countries have sent billions of dollars to Ukraine in military equipment and other aid.
Since the Ukrainian Armed Forces currently use an array of weapons that require different ammunition and require different maintenance, the Ukrainian Armed Forces logistics personnel are very organized and know what equipment is needed where and which We had to maintain proper situational awareness as to what equipment was needed.
For example, sending Western-made 155 mm ammunition to troops with 152 mm howitzers (the standard Ukrainian howitzer caliber for decades) is a waste of time and resources.
Logistics and special operators
May 2021, Romania, Ukraine and US Army Green Berets conduct close combat training in Romania.
Romanian Army/Colonel Roxana Davidovitz
At the same event, Michael Repass, who commanded SOCEUR before retiring from the U.S. Army as a major general, also emphasized the importance of logistics not only for special operations forces, but for any army facing a larger, more armed enemy. .
“We know that logistics is important, and it is very interesting to see SOF people talking about how important logistics is,” said Repass. “Stockpiling supplies to protect the country has become essential for small countries at odds with big powers.”
In fact, Russia’s struggle in Ukraine shows that in a conflict with roughly equivalent forces such as Russia and China, it will be necessary to live without the stockpiles and scarce supply lines to which it was accustomed during the war on terrorism. Showing to the troops.
For U.S. special operations forces, logistics demands in conflict “will be highly force and mission dependent,” he said. US Army Special Forces A National Guard soldier told Insider.
U.S. Special Operations Forces are “designed to operate deep in enemy lines in often hostile environments with little or no outside support. We are trained and without much logistical support. “We are mentally prepared to fight in the United States,” said the Green Beret, who was asked to remain anonymous. Discussing potential future operations.
Ukrainian forces are guided by US soldiers during a drill to clear trenches at a training center in Yavoriv, Ukraine, in June 2017.
US Army/Sergeant Anthony Jones
Getting supplies to U.S. special operators in the Indo-Pacific is going to be a tougher time the closer they get to China. This is because China has developed weapons to deny rivals access to parts of the region such as the South China Sea. The U.S. Army is the service responsible for logistics throughout the Indo-Pacific region of operations.
“Again, depending on the force and mission, you will eventually need some kind of logistical support. added.
The U.S. Special Operations Command said one SOCOM official said, “free logistics.”
SOCOM is looking at new technologies and other means to supply special operators in harsh environments and to enable those forces to produce what they need where they need it. Some of the technology underway includes 3D printing, which could enable frontline special forces to self-manufacture much-needed ammunition and spare parts.
Military logistics aren’t as glamorous as some of the weapons and operations on display in Ukraine, but the war there shows them to be as important as ever to success on the battlefield.
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a Defense Journalist specializing in Special Operations, a Greek Army Veteran (575th Marine Battalion and National Service in Army Headquarters), and a graduate of Johns Hopkins University. He is working towards a master’s degree in strategy and cybersecurity from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.