Putin, how to make counter tactics

The ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine has become a treasure trove of tactics and counter tactics. Putin the strategist did one of his classical judo throw when the West announced that it plans to introduce mercenaries and volunteers into the battle zone as military contractors. Read more:

America led west has had hefty experience in marshalling the art of contracting out by bringing off-service military men into warfighting in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan. Most of them wear two hats: acting as contractors and working as mercenaries. Erik Prince and his Blackwater team are notorious in this regard. Then there is non-military element such as ISIS who are good at using terrorism and religious extremism.

This type of sub-contracting warfighting has had mixed results. In Afghanistan initial success turned out to be massive failure. Syria and Iraq saw total devastation of land and property leading to theft of archaeological artefacts as well as oil & gas. Only in Libya it has a semblance of success, in that it ended as stalemate after Putin got his Wagner group inside the country.

The crucial fact for success or failure of sub-contracting of warfighting is the lay of the land in a particular theatre along with the strategy at play there. Ukraine is different ball game. The country is already a basket case living off, doles from the West and royalty from Gazprom. Accentuated further Ukraine has lop sided development of urban planning characterised by vast expanse of empty land spotted with industrial development and urban centres besotted therein. Moreover most city centres are congested too. 

This type of lay of the land requires men who are masters in urban warfare and guerrilla tactics. What distinguishes these fighters is their dedication for the cause and unshakable loyalty towards the leader. This part is completely lacking in the army of mercenaries the West assembles who consider it as lucrative job paying to the tune of US$ 2000 per diem.

Putin made an announcement detailing counter tactic. Putin stated that more than 16,000 volunteers are ready to move into Ukraine and are waiting for his nod. On the face of it this appears as tit for tat announcement. But the counter tactics has a different purpose: on one hand it escalates warfighting where dedicated men who are willing to fight for Putin and Russia are to be inducted. They are adept at urban warfare, house to house attack, sniping and possess the ability to pounce, retreat and attack manoeuvre. Ramzan Kadyrov Head of Chechen Republic is a past master already in Kiev theatre commanding his well-trained cadre. In addition to Caucasian input there are plenty of Syrian-Iraqi fighters who are ready and willing to join in. 

Underlying aspect is that this counter tactic unnerves Azov Battalion and the National Guard formed in 1991. Both of them are not regular army men.  And they are probably no match for the incoming volunteers who excel in urban warfare. The result is stratospheric. Putin made a counter tactics that silenced the West on one side and placed him on the lofty plain of moral fortitude. 

In business strategy too, counter tactics play a significant role. When a firm announces a tactical move that rattles the market, a smart competitor would come out with counter business tactic that not only forces the firm to make hasty withdrawal but places the competitor on moral high ground! 

Cheers!

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail:   cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Business Strategist