When strategy turns into emptiness: The Economist on the war that Putin does not know how to win

An article in the British The Economist was published with a title that sounds like a diagnosis of the era — “Vladimir Putin has no plan for winning in Ukraine”. Deputy editor Edward Carr speaks plainly: the Kremlin has no strategy for victory, and this is already visible to the naked eye.
If Ukraine continues to stand like a steel plate under blows, then Russia, on the contrary, is sinking in its own uncertainty.

A history that repeats itself — only the stakes are higher

Carr draws parallels with August 1918, when the allies found a way to break through German positions. Today, Ukraine is the same line of resistance, only with digital maps, drones, and million-strong cities under fire.
And while Kyiv does not give up, Moscow increasingly resembles an army that knows how to fight but does not know why.

The Atlantic expert Andrew Revkin echoes: it is dangerous to underestimate Putin, but even more dangerous to overestimate him. A war based on fear lasts only as long as fear works.

Drones in the skies of Europe and an attempt to play on nerves

Since September, Russian drones have been entering European airspace, forcing NATO to scramble fighters and close airports.
The picture looks like a “show of force.”
In reality — like a desperate way to remind of oneself.

Western commentators were quick to talk about Putin’s victory, but Revkin reminds: this is not a victory, but a theatrical effect. Moscow provokes because it does not know how to win otherwise.

The Kremlin presses on weak spots — and hopes someone will falter

Putin wants to force Kyiv to capitulate psychologically. But instead of advancement, he gets a strategic defeat: the war has already gone beyond the borders of two countries and has become a front of “Russia against the West.”
Europe, accustomed to the illusion of security, is today learning anew to look at the world without filters.

The West hesitates — and the Kremlin takes advantage of this

America has not yet decided how much help it is ready to give Ukraine. Europe doubts whether it can convince Washington to act tougher.
The Kremlin bets on hesitation: fear, fatigue, internal disagreements, information noise — all these are elements of the same psychological war.

But Carr reminds: history has repeatedly shown that support at the right moment can turn the tide of conflict.
Afghanistan became such an example. Ukraine could be next.

The illusion of “Putin’s omnipotence” — his only resource

Revkin emphasizes: as soon as the West begins to look at Putin’s capabilities without fear and myths, the Kremlin will lose its main source of influence — the legend of its own invincibility.
Russia’s real strength is lower than its attempt to appear strong.

A decision that has matured: to speak to Putin in the language of force

Putin understands only one thing — pressure.
Increasing military support for Ukraine, strengthening defensive systems, expanding supplies of long-range missiles like Tomahawk — all this changes the rules of the game on the battlefield.

This, according to the authors of The Economist and The Atlantic, can stop further aggression and return to Europe a sense of control over its own security.

For now, the world sees a picture in which Ukraine holds on thanks to courage and Western supplies, and Moscow — thanks to the illusion it has created for itself.

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