Russia’s Struggles with a Dysfunctional Military Command Structure Amid Ukrainian Advances: Think Tank Analysis
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has highlighted a significant issue within Moscow’s military—its cumbersome and overlapping command structures. According to a recent report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia’s response to Ukrainian incursions into its border regions has been hampered by a dysfunctional command and control system, causing internal friction and confusion among its forces.
The ISW, a DC-based think tank, pointed out that Ukraine’s successful advances into Russia’s Kursk region have exposed the cracks in the Kremlin’s military organization. Russian forces have struggled to contain these incursions, largely due to the convoluted structure of their command, where multiple layers of authority overlap, leading to poor coordination and inefficiency.
In response to the Ukrainian offensive, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov appointed Deputy Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov as the deputy head of a coordinating council responsible for managing the military’s actions in the Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions. In addition to Yevkurov’s role, five other officials were assigned to address specific aspects of the operation, including logistics, military-technical support, evacuations, and medical care. Despite these efforts, the ISW noted that the involvement of so many figures in overlapping roles only adds to the confusion, creating more challenges for an already strained military command.
The ISW report emphasized that the Russian defense ministry’s inability to streamline its operations with an effective joint command structure is impeding its ability to mount a cohesive defense. The creation of three separate groups focused on protecting civilians from drone strikes and other attacks in these regions further complicates the situation. According to ISW, such a redundant setup increases the likelihood of miscommunication and delays in decision-making, undermining the effectiveness of Russia’s defensive strategy.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to gain ground in its campaign. Ukrainian forces reportedly advanced over 28 kilometers (17.4 miles) into Russia’s Kursk region, capturing more than 1,263 square kilometers (488 square miles) of Russian territory and taking control of 93 settlements. Despite the visible dysfunction within Russia’s military leadership, Ukrainian military intelligence remains cautious. The deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GRU), Vadym Skibitsky, confirmed that Russia is preparing a counter-response. “The operation is ongoing. Russia is planning a response. There are plans, we know about them. Our government and military leadership know about them so they can continue [the operation] and disrupt the [Russian] plans,” Skibitsky said.
Russia’s military struggles underscore a larger issue of governance and coordination within its defense apparatus. As Ukrainian forces press forward, the cracks in Russia’s command structure become increasingly evident. While Moscow’s plans for a counter-response are in motion, the effectiveness of these efforts remains questionable given the current state of their internal coordination. The ISW’s assessment suggests that unless Russia can address these systemic issues, it may continue to face significant setbacks in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
