Rules of Warfare

The California National Guard has had a close working relationship with the Ukraine military and national guard since 1993. It’s one of the many worldwide partnerships that multiple US states’ National Guard participate in.  Evidence of this partnership in training has played-out over the past five weeks.

It shows. 

After the dismantling of the Soviet Union, as Ukraine emerged as a sovereign nation, its military operated by the tactics and strict top-down strategy of the Soviet Union. 

The Russian military is still run on that Soviet model.

The Ukrainian military partnered with western armed forces, and trained in western military principles that empower strong on the ground leadership and ability for non commissioned officers and troops to make decisions in real time on battlefield. 

I listened to an interview of HR McMaster* the other day on Sirius XM radio and he juxtaposed civilized warfare (there is such a thing) with the undisciplined barbarity of the Soviet invaders. He not only pointed-out the unprofessional conduct of Russian military forces but he also shared his observation of the total breakdown of Russia's military command and control. He reminded Sirius listeners of the rules of war:

• No targeting of civilians

• No torture or inhumane treatment of detainees

• No attacking hospitals and aid workers

• Provide safe passages for civilian non-combatants to flee

• Provide access to humanitarian organizations

• No unnecessary or excessive loss and suffering

Having violated every single rule of warfare it appears that Russian barbarians have demonstrated that cruelty and depravity is an integral component to their manner of prosecuting a war.

Ukrainian forces know and understand the rules of conduct and warfare taught by our own citizen soldiers.

It shows. 

Thank you and respect to all of the citizen solders who serve and have participated in these exercises with our allies in other countries.

Especially to Ukraine for courage and fortitude...

 

*McMaster is a retired United States Army lieutenant general who served as the 26th United States National Security Advisor to President Trump from 2017 to 2018.