Woodiwiss: Russian Troop Quality “Lower Than Poor”
(KYIV) – Russian military personnel, including commissioned officers, have been deployed to the front lines under the fabricated belief that they are fighting a defensive war against North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) forces. Simon Woodiwiss, a former British Army infantry officer and current director of Objective Ukraine, revealed that captured Russian troops were genuinely astonished to discover they were fighting Ukrainians. According to Woodiwiss, these prisoners had been informed by their high command that NATO had bypassed Belarus—deemed “too strong” for the alliance—to invade Ukraine from the south, necessitating a Russian “liberation” to push them back.
Life in a Frozen Capital
Reporting from Kyiv, Woodiwiss described the reality of living through one of the harshest winters in years amidst a campaign of Russian strikes on critical infrastructure that has lasted over 100 days. The city faces frequent power cuts, often occurring in the middle of the night. While acknowledging the efforts of the city’s mayor and the encouragement of the President of Ukraine, Woodiwiss noted that the situation remains “tricky”. Residents often navigate extended periods of darkness, which in turn disrupts water supplies to older apartment blocks reliant on electrically pumped central heating systems.
Despite these hardships, the mood in the capital is one of resilience. Woodiwiss highlighted the “community feeling,” where businesses like cafes allow locals to charge devices during outages. While the “invincibility points” – public warming centres established in 2022 – are less crowded than in previous years, they remain available. The prevailing attitude is pragmatic; citizens “crack on” with daily life, understanding that the priority is supporting the soldiers at the front.
Air Defence and Foreign Volunteers
Addressing the shortage of defensive missiles, Woodiwiss, who also serves as a defence and security adviser to the British Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (BUCC), emphasised the sheer scale of the territory requiring protection. While “point defence” systems like auto-cannons are effective for specific strategic sites, protecting a sprawling city like Kyiv requires a significant volume of Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs). He cautioned that the narrative of Ukraine “defending Europe” can sometimes be a double-edged sword, potentially alarming Western populations rather than motivating them to send the necessary aid.
In a new development, foreign residents in Kyiv, including business owners and those with local families, are now being permitted to join the Territorial Defence Force. These volunteers will reinforce existing units, which are often equipped with older weaponry or “man-portable” systems like Stingers and the British-made Martlet. Woodiwiss believes this initiative will not only bolster kinetic defence capabilities but also serve as a significant morale boost and a “PR and marketing” asset, refocusing international attention on Ukraine amidst distractions from other global news cycles involving Greenland, Venezuela, or the Middle East.
Drone Warfare and Nuclear Risks
The threat from the air remains diverse. Woodiwiss distinguished between high-altitude ballistic threats and low-level “suicide” drones, colloquially described as “flying lawnmowers” due to their crude sound and construction. While President Zelenskyy has announced a new strategy involving interceptor drones, Woodiwiss stressed that traditional methods remain vital.
Nuclear safety remains a critical concern. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently reported that military activity had affected substations supplying the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, causing a temporary loss of off-site power. Woodiwiss condemned the Kremlin’s dismissal of these risks as “highly irresponsible”. He explained that cutting power to nuclear facilities compromises the water pumping systems essential for cooling fuel rods, a scenario that nearly caused a meltdown at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant previously. He noted that while large generators can mitigate this risk, the Russian dictator’s forces often attempt to blame Ukraine for damage they inflict themselves.
Energy Solutions and Security
The British Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a “New Paradigm for Power Generation” event at the Premier Palace Hotel, attended by nearly 200 people. The event highlighted the impressive speed at which Ukraine and its allies are managing the energy crisis, with Woodiwiss expressing confidence that the situation will improve rapidly due to this coordinated international effort.
Regarding internal security, the relaxation of curfews to allow access to aid has proceeded smoothly. Woodiwiss praised the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the police for maintaining tight control, contrasting the environment favourably with his previous experience in Iraq. He asserted that Kyiv is not a place where insurgents roam or where “IEDs” (Improvised Explosive Devices) litter the streets, describing the environment as “benign” compared to other conflict zones, despite the aerial threats.
The Reality of the Enemy
Woodiwiss offered a blunt assessment of the Russian military’s current state. Drawing on his infantry background, he described the invading forces as poorly trained, poorly led, and suffering from abysmal morale. He recounted a specific incident where captured Russian special forces expected to be executed—a projection of their own conduct—and were confused by the presence of English-speaking foreign volunteers, whom they mistook for the mythical Polish invaders.
His description of the Russian troops was scathing. He characterised their quality as “lower than shark [expletive],” describing them as “scum” who do not adhere to the Geneva Convention or shared values. He argued that due to their refusal to follow the rules of war, they must be “crushed into the ground and swept off the planet.” He dismissed any sympathy for them, stating that they are distinct in their mindset and behaviour from the defenders.
Strategic Goals and Mobilisation
The Ukrainian Defence Ministry has reportedly set a goal of inflicting 50,000 Russian casualties a month to make the war untenable for Moscow. Woodiwiss believes this is entirely achievable given the poor leadership of Russian troops, who are often treated as disposable by their own commanders. However, he noted that Ukraine faces its own manpower challenges. He urged more Ukrainian men to “step up to the plate”, using a World War I metaphor for rising out of a trench to fight. With approximately 26% of eligible men not yet registered or at the front, he emphasised that filling the ranks is essential for survival.
On the tactical level, Woodiwiss advocated for low-tech solutions to high-tech problems, such as using fishing nets to protect trenches from FPV drones. As world leaders gather in Davos and discuss geopolitical manoeuvres involving Donald Trump and Greenland, Woodiwiss concluded that for those on the ground in Kyiv, the focus remains strictly on survival and the defeat of the Russian dictator’s forces.
