Military expert Michael Karl is an analyst at the German Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies (GIDS), a cooperation between the Bundeswehr University in Hamburg and the Bundeswehr Command and Staff Academy. Karl is a specialist there for operations in Russia/Ukraine, weapons/equipment used and geofactors (soil, weather ).
Karl advocates the delivery of “Leopard 2” main battle tanks to Ukraine. He also explains why tanks only make military sense in combination with other weapons and air superiority, referring to US arms deliveries. He speaks of the delivery of US armored personnel carriers to Ukraine and the relocation of main battle tanks “to the border”. By that he means the transfer of the main battle tanks to NATO’s eastern flank in Poland, not to Ukraine.
Military expert Karl on the war in Ukraine
His most important statements on the current situation in the war in Ukraine:
- Soledar is still held by Ukrainian troops and is not in Russian hands
- Even if Bachmut/Soledar falls: Ukrainian tactics are still experienced enough to prevent further Russian advances
- Ground in Ukraine is frozen: it is currently positive armored operations to conduct ground operations
- Battle tanks alone do not lead to victory, Ukraine needs the “combined arms battle”
- More modern technologies play an increasingly important role (combat drones, HIMARS)
- But there are many mistakes with modern technologies on both sides
- Yesterday there was a change of command among the Russians: Chief of Staff Valerie Gerasimov is now the commander-in-chief – so far he has actually only appeared as a military theorist
“If Bakhmut/Soledar were to fall, there would be a grid connection to the central region of Ukraine, and Kramatorsk would then be decisive,” it is a strategically important place, which is why holding Bakhmut and Soledar is so important.”
“However, the Ukrainian tactics are already so balanced and experienced ‘even falling of the places would not prevent flexible defense of Ukraine, they would still be able to prevent an approach to Kramatorsk.’
Interplay of armored personnel carriers and main battle tanks
“An armored personnel carrier in combat works together with a main battle tank, the Americans have not only recognized this, they have also shown it by bringing infantry and main battle tanks to the border and they are training future tank crews for the Ukrainian armed forces on a German training ground accordingly their vehicles.”
“In winter, when the ground is frozen, then the offensive ability is particularly good to be able to fight. They always talk about fighting three generals on Russian soil: General Mud, General Frost and General Winter – it’s optimal to attack now. “
“I think that when the appropriate arms supplies go to Ukraine, Ukraine will counterattack” – and he believes that Ukraine will be successful in that.”
Vivian Bahlmann talks to Michael Karl, German Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies (GIDS), a Bundeswehr think tank.