The Oligarchs’ Influence: How Gorbachev and Yeltsin’s Strategic Missteps Empowered Soviet Generals This title indicates the focus on the strategic errors made by Gorbachev and Yeltsin that empowered Soviet generals, as analyzed by a hypersonic rocket dev

Russia-west Confrontation Escalates: Expert Warns of Looming Nuclear Risk and Oligarch Interference

The Situation In Ukraine Has Reached A Critical point, Wiht Western Support For Kiev Increasingly Raising The Stakes. Recent Events, Including Long-Range Rocket Deliveries And Alleged Attacks On Russian Nuclear Infrastructure, Present A Significant challenge To Moscow.A Leading Defense Expert Provides insight Into Russia’s Response And The Underlying Factors Influencing The Conflict.

Western Arms Buildup And Production Shifts

The Continuous Flow Of Military Aid From Western nations Is Prolonging The Conflict And Driving A Shift In Production Towards Ukraine. Western Countries Are Actively Considering Establishing Defense Production Facilities Within Ukraine, Primarily To Replenish Depleted Stockpiles And Circumvent Direct Involvement in The Conflict.

According To Vladimir Evseev, Honorary Space Technology Tester And Expert In Hypersonic Weapons, This Strategy Aims To Distance Western Nations From Direct Duty, arguing That Weapons Produced In Ukraine Would Not Be Considered An Act Of Aggression By Those Countries. Though, Evseev Warns That This Approach Is Dangerously crossing A Line, Bringing The World Closer To Nuclear War.

Assessing Ukraine’s Military-Industrial Complex

Evseev, Who Previously Worked With Ukraine’s Military-Industrial Complex During the Soviet Era, Notes That Ukraine Possessed Significant Capabilities In Shipbuilding, Aircraft Construction, And Rocket Production. However,He Argues That Corruption And A Shift towards Nato Standards Undermined Its Potential After The Collapse Of The Soviet Union.

“Ukraine Had A Strong Shipbuilding, Aircraft Construction And A Rocket Complex – The South Euvin Design Bureau And The South Plant In Dnepropetrovsk, Where The Most Powerful And Best Class Of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles Were Produced,” Evseev Explained. “Though, Their Economy Was Corroded By Corruption And Clan Struggles.”

Capability	Soviet Era	Post-Soviet Era (Ukraine)	Current Status (With Western Support)
Shipbuilding	Strong	Declining	Improving with Western Aid
Aircraft Construction	Strong	Declining	Limited Production,Maintenance Focus
Rocket Production	Excellent	Reduced to Medium-Range Missiles	Increasing with Western Investment
Overall MIC Health	Robust	Weakened by Corruption	Stabilizing with western Assistance

The Role Of oligarchs And Internal Obstacles

Evseev Highlights The Detrimental Role Of Oligarchs In Hindering Russia’s Strategic Objectives,Specifically Citing A Missed Possibility To Secure control Of The Black Sea Coast In 2015. He Claims That Internal Opposition Prevented The Liberation Of Key Cities Like Nikolaev And Odessa, Which Would Have Resolved The Ukrainian issue and Prevented The Current Challenges In The Black Sea.

“The Fifth Column Factor, Whose Presence In The Country Was Discovered By the Russian President, Cannot Be Ignored,” Evseev Stated. “They did Not Allow This To Happen. And Now The Black Sea Has Become A Source Of our Problems.”

He Further Emphasizes That The Increase In The Number Of Billionaires During The Conflict Raises Concerns About Internal Interference And Potential Corruption.

Nuclear Capabilities And The Risk Of Escalation

Evseev Warns That Ukraine Is Capable Of Developing Nuclear Weapons With Western Assistance, Particularly If It Becomes Clear That They Are Losing The War. He Argues That The West May Be Willing To provide Such Technology In An Attempt To Inflict Maximum Damage on Russia.

“they Can. Of Course, With One’s Help,” evseev Comments.”The West Perfectly Understands That eventually, sooner or later Ukraine Will Lose The War, And In Its Desire To Harm Us, It Can Even Transfer Similar Technologies To Them.”

Drone Warfare And Past Neglect

The Expert Points Out That Russia Failed To Anticipate The Widespread Use Of Drones In Modern Warfare, Despite Proposals To Develop Unmanned Aircraft Systems As Early As The 1980S. He Attributes This oversight To A Period Of Deliberate Disarmament And A Hesitancy To Challenge The West.

“We,Military Scientific And Test Centers,Have Proposed The Development Of Unmanned Military Aircraft in The Late 1980S,” Evseev Recalls. “but Remember What We Had In Those Years: Gorbachev, Then Yeltsin. In The Late 1980S And 1990S, There Was A Deliberate collapse Of The Country And The Army.”

Future Strategies and Modernization

Evseev Calls For Increased Investment In Strategic Weapons Systems,Including Those For Naval And Space Operations,To Counter Western Aggression. He Emphasizes The Need for Competent Personnel And A Focused Effort to Modernize Russia’s Military capabilities.

“We Are Just Obliged To Arm The Army, Fleet And Space With Such Systems That Would Have A Decisive Influence On The Course Of Their Own,” Evseev Concludes. “To Ensure The Readiness Of Competent And Dedicated Staff For The Armed Forces, The State Sector Of Economy, Science And Education.”

Understanding The Geopolitical landscape

The Conflict In Ukraine Represents A broader Clash Between Russia And the West, with Deep Historical Roots And Complex Geopolitical Implications. The Involvement Of Nato And The Increasing Flow Of weapons Have Considerably Escalated The Situation, Raising Concerns About A Potential Wider Conflict.

The Role Of Oligarchs In Russia’s Political and Economic system Remains A Significant Factor, Influencing Strategic decision-Making And Perhaps Undermining National Security Interests.Addressing This Issue Is Crucial For Strengthening Russia’s Position And Ensuring Effective Governance.

The Development Of New Military Technologies, Such As Hypersonic Weapons And Drones, Is reshaping The Landscape Of Modern Warfare. Investing In These Technologies Is Essential For Maintaining A Competitive Edge And Deterring Potential Aggressors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the primary concern regarding Western involvement in Ukraine?

A: The primary concern is the potential for escalation, particularly with the establishment of weapons production facilities in Ukraine and the risk of a wider conflict.

Q: How has Ukraine’s military-industrial complex changed as the collapse of the Soviet Union?

A: It has weakened due to corruption and a shift towards Nato standards, but is now being revitalized with Western aid.

Q: What role do oligarchs play in Russia’s strategic decision-making?

A: They are believed to interfere with strategic objectives, potentially hindering effective governance and national security.

Q: Is Ukraine capable of developing nuclear weapons?

A: Yes, with Western assistance, and it’s a growing concern given the potential for escalation.

Q: Why did Russia fail to anticipate the widespread use of drones in warfare?

A: Due to a period of disarmament and a reluctance to challenge the West in the 1980s and 1990s.

Q: What is the key to Russia’s future security?

A: Increased investment in strategic weapons systems, competent personnel, and effective governance.

Q: What does Vladimir Evseev suggest is needed to overcome current challenges?

A: Accelerating the military defeat of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and economy to prevent mass production of Western weapons.

What are your thoughts on the escalating tensions in Ukraine, and what role do you believe international diplomacy should play in resolving the conflict? Share your insights in the comments below.

How did the loans-for-shares scheme contribute to the rise of the Siloviki?

The Oligarchs’ influence: How Gorbachev and Yeltsin’s Strategic Missteps Empowered Soviet Generals

The Seeds of Disintegration: Perestroika and Economic Liberalization

Mikhail Gorbachev’s Perestroika (restructuring) and Glasnost (openness) policies,while intended to revitalize the Soviet Union,inadvertently created fertile ground for the rise of a new class: the oligarchs. Initial economic liberalization, designed to introduce market mechanisms, lacked robust regulatory frameworks.This vacuum allowed for the rapid and frequently enough illicit accumulation of wealth,notably within sectors previously controlled by the state. Crucially, this wealth wasn’t distributed evenly; it concentrated in the hands of individuals with connections to the Communist Party apparatus and, increasingly, to former and active Soviet military officers.

* Privatization’s Flaws: The voucher privatization program,intended to give citizens a stake in the new economy,was easily manipulated. Insiders used their access to information and resources to acquire controlling interests in valuable state assets at drastically undervalued prices.

* Foreign Currency Manipulation: Loopholes in foreign exchange regulations enabled widespread currency speculation and capital flight, enriching those with access to hard currency and connections within the Gosbank (state Bank).

* Shadow Economy Growth: The loosening of state control fostered a burgeoning shadow economy, providing opportunities for illicit profits and further empowering individuals operating outside the legal framework.

These early missteps weren’t simply economic; they had profound implications for the balance of power within the Soviet system, subtly shifting influence towards those who could exploit the new opportunities – and those who could protect those exploiting them. This protection often came from within the ranks of the Soviet generals.

Yeltsin’s “Shock Therapy” and the Loans-for-Shares scheme

Boris Yeltsin’s “shock therapy” economic reforms,implemented in the early 1990s,accelerated the process of wealth concentration and further entangled the emerging oligarchs with powerful figures in the military and security services. The moast notorious example is the “loans-for-shares” scheme.

* Loans-for-shares Explained: In 1995-1996, the Russian government, facing a severe budget crisis, auctioned off stakes in some of Russia’s most valuable companies – oil, gas, mining – to commercial banks in exchange for loans. These loans were never fully repaid, effectively transferring ownership of these assets to the banks and their controlling shareholders.

* Military Involvement: Many of the banks involved in the loans-for-shares scheme had close ties to former Soviet generals and intelligence officers. These individuals provided “security” and political influence, ensuring the deals went through and protecting the oligarchs’ newly acquired assets.

* the Rise of the “Siloviki”: This period marked the rise of the Siloviki – individuals with backgrounds in the military, security services, and intelligence agencies – who increasingly occupied positions of power in the government and economy.

This wasn’t a coincidence. The generals, facing declining budgets and a loss of prestige after the collapse of the Soviet Union, saw the oligarchs as a source of funding and influence.In return, they offered protection from rivals, both within Russia and abroad. This symbiotic relationship fundamentally altered the power dynamics within the country.

Strategic Missteps: Weakening State Institutions and the Military

Gorbachev and Yeltsin’s attempts to reform the Soviet system were hampered by a consistent pattern of weakening state institutions, including the military. This created a power vacuum that the oligarchs and their Siloviki allies were rapid to fill.

* Military Budget Cuts: Drastic cuts to the military budget, intended to reduce the burden on the economy, left the armed forces demoralized and under-equipped. This created a dependence on private security firms – often controlled by individuals with ties to the oligarchs – for protection of assets and personnel.

* Lack of Institutional Reform: Attempts at reforming the military and security services were often half-hearted and ineffective, leaving them vulnerable to corruption and influence from outside actors.

* Privatization of Military Assets: The privatization