Well, I've seen the interview halfway through. Will finish later. So far it matches my own reading about the whole thing! Very reassuring to hear it from a Pentagon-experienced mind with extensive knowledge of war in general, plus Russia, Ukraine, and geopolitics.
Summary:
1) An unbelievable amount of censorship in Western media, control of narrative, and wishful thinking in place of actual reporting.
2) The West's aim seems to be to stall/avoid peace talks, keep the war dragging as long as possible in hopes of destroying the Russian state and Putin through sanctions/isolation etc.
3) Putin ordered all efforts to be made to avoid civilian casualties and unnecessary property destruction. In addition, the Russians have avoided the centre of Ukraine where the crops/fields are, which is where planting will happen in the spring. Evidence showing they have no interest in mindlessly destroying Ukraine.
4) The goal of the operation seems to be to destroy the Ukrainian forces themselves (about 60,000 troops) and control the territory, not to occupy it.
5) All evidence points to Russia having already won this war:
*They have destroyed all Ukrainian forces except those they have surrounded, both in the East and West. This war is finished in that they essentially control everything of importance.
(He doesn't mention this but Russia has also been destroying all weapons manufacturing capability/facilities, which I think goes with this aim of destroying their fighters).
*They've captured huge amount of Western weapons given to Ukrainians.
*Only the Azov battalion of about 3,000 giving them trouble, holding civilian hostages, refusing to let them leave the city they occupy. There's concern that this place will experience the level of bloodshed that has been avoided elsewhere and it's a shame.
Watch the rest there.
