Lessons from Ukraine
What lessons can we learn about strategy from the war in Ukraine?
Firstly, it's worth talking about the organisational structures because the Ukrainian and Russian Armies have distinctly different approaches. Ukraine's military has undergone significant reform since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, which ousted the pro-Russian government of Viktor Yanukovych. In contrast, the Russian Army has largely retained its Soviet-era organisational structure, which has limitations in today's modern warfare.
The Ukrainian Army has shifted towards a more decentralized structure, with a focus on creating small, manoeuvrable units capable of quickly responding to changing situations. This has been achieved through the creation of new formations such as the Territorial Defence Battalions and the National Guard. These formations are largely made up of volunteers and reservists, who are trained and equipped to carry out specific tasks such as border security, counterinsurgency, and territorial defense. This decentralized structure has several advantages for the implementation of strategy.
Firstly, it allows for greater flexibility and agility in responding to emerging threats and changing situations on the ground. Small, manoeuvrable units can quickly adapt to changing conditions and carry out targeted operations with minimal bureaucracy or delays. Secondly, it promotes a sense of ownership and responsibility among soldiers and their commanders. Small units are more likely to feel a sense of responsibility for their mission and to take initiative in carrying out their tasks. This can lead to better decision-making on the ground and more effective implementation of strategy.
Finally, a decentralised structure can help to build resilience in the face of enemy attacks. With multiple small units spread out across the battlefield, the loss of any one unit may not have a significant impact on the overall mission. This can help to prevent the enemy from achieving their objectives and can increase the chances of success for the Ukrainian Army.
In contrast, the Russian Army has a more centralised structure, with a focus on large formations and centralised decision-making. While this approach may have been effective during the Soviet era, it has limitations in today's modern warfare. Large formations can be more vulnerable to enemy attacks and may be slower to adapt to changing situations on the ground. Additionally, a centralised decision-making structure can be prone to bureaucratic delays and may limit the ability of soldiers and commanders to take initiative on the ground.
The advantages of the Ukrainian Army's decentralised structure are particularly evident in their success in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine against Russian-backed separatists. Despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned, the Ukrainian Army has been able to hold the line and carry out targeted operations thanks to their small, manoeuvrable units and decentralised decision-making structure.
If not already apparent. The lessons from Ukraine's military reforms can be applied to other organisations looking to build a more agile and effective strategy implementation structure. Freedom, responsibility and structure, enabled with data provide a base for modern workplaces to implement successful strategies.