Russian military expert stuns Kremlin hawks with 'frightening' Ukraine army assessment

 

As Donald Trump continues to avoid confronting Russia, confidence is growing among Kremlin loyalists that victory in Ukraine may be within reach.

That growing optimism, however, was recently undercut by a respected Russian military analyst who surprised pro-war commentators with a stark assessment: Ukraine’s military currently enjoys a decisive advantage on the battlefield. While morale may be rising among Putin’s supporters, some voices within Russia’s own defense establishment are acknowledging mounting challenges.

Western experts maintain that Vladimir Putin’s goals have not shifted since the 2022 full-scale invasion—he remains intent on conquering all of Ukraine. With Trump showing no inclination to counter Moscow, Kremlin hardliners believe the path to achieving those goals is widening.

Still, military analyst Andrey Klintsevich offered a sobering reality check during a recent appearance on the Russian talk show The Meeting Place. The 44-year-old warned that Ukraine’s armed forces are proving to be both technologically superior and strategically nimble. He particularly pointed to Ukraine’s increasing use of artificial intelligence in battlefield operations.

“Our biggest concern—and the area where we urgently need a breakthrough—is AI on the digital battlefield,” Klintsevich said. “Their systems analyze our troop movements in real time, identify patterns, and direct Ukrainian commanders to likely attack points. Even inexperienced officers are making smart decisions because they’re being guided moment by moment.”

Klintsevich added that Ukraine is consistently outpacing Russian forces. “We’re falling behind in speed and execution. As soon as we act, they’re already responding. NATO is clearly assisting. Google and other tech firms are involved. This is becoming a serious challenge.”

Regularly in touch with Russian troops at the front, Klintsevich also described Ukraine’s recent advances in electronic warfare as a “quantum leap,” particularly in their ability to counter and disable Russian drones.

In a striking detail, he noted that Ukraine is now recruiting skilled gamers from abroad to operate their expanding fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—a tactic that has significantly enhanced their effectiveness and operational scale.

He closed with a grim acknowledgment of the cost Russian forces are facing: “Let’s be honest—every gain, every village we capture, comes with a heavy price. These are acts of extraordinary bravery.”

His remarks come as new reports indicate Russia is massing approximately 50,000 troops near Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, fueling concerns of a renewed offensive in the coming weeks.