Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Stanislav Krapivnik: Russia's Permanent Divorce from Europe
Dec 16, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Stanislav Krapivnik, a former US Army officer and military-political expert from Lugansk, analyzes the transformative impact of the Ukraine conflict on Russia. He highlights the dynamics of attrition warfare, the complexities of European involvement, and the morale among Russian troops. Krapivnik also argues that the war has spurred a civilizational shift, pushing Russia away from the West. He stresses the risks of escalation if Europe intervenes and critiques the superficial nature of current diplomatic efforts.
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Counteroffensive Became Attrition Trap
- The 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive became an attrition catastrophe without air parity or engineering superiority.
- Krapivnik highlights heavy losses relative to small territorial gains as classic attrition outcomes.
Conflict Framed As Defense Of Holy Rus
- For many in Donbass and Russia, the war is perceived as defense of historical Russian lands and identity.
- Krapivnik says this framing hardened morale and turned the conflict into a homeland struggle.
Sanctions Harden A Separate Russian Identity
- War accelerated a societal pendulum away from Western-oriented identity toward a distinct Russian civilization.
- Krapivnik argues sanctions hardened resolve and reduced Russian appetite to re-embrace Western firms or norms.