How David Fights Goliath: Ukraine’s Campaign of Asymmetric Warfare

Why It Matters publishes guest essays providing thoughtful analysis of critical issues. Justin Tomczyk works as my research assistant.

Still frame from footage of Ukrainian Bradley IFV destroying Russian T-90 near Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast

This past weekend marked two years since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The conflict has led to the death of thousands, the displacement of millions, and the return to interstate war on the European continent. During the lead-up to the invasion observers and commentators repeatedly highlighted the vast disparity in military capabilities between Russia and Ukraine. Moscow had an undeniable advantage over Kyiv in manpower, firepower, and production capabilities. The most generous Western estimates gave Ukraine several weeks of fighting before surrender while Moscow seemed convinced it would take Kyiv in three days.

The Ukrainians’ tenacious resistance in the opening days of the invasion dispelled any notion of a quick Russian victory. The reclamation of Kyiv Oblast and the sinking of the Moskva in the first weeks of the war demonstrated the Ukrainian military’s ability t…