Inside Ukraine’s Invasion of Russia
16Digest
The podcast begins with an advertisement for Squarespace, an all-in-one website platform. It then delves into Ukraine's recent military incursion into Russia, exploring the background of the operation, the initial response from both sides, and the potential implications for the conflict. The podcast then focuses on Russia's response to the incursion, analyzing the military and political reactions. It explores the reasons behind Russia's seemingly muted response and discusses the potential implications for the future of the conflict. The podcast then includes advertisements for Squarespace and The Run Up podcast. It then reports on President Biden's approval of a new nuclear strategy that focuses on deterring China. The plan acknowledges China's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal and its potential rivalry with the United States and Russia. The podcast concludes with a report on Vice President Kamala Harris's formal nomination for president by the Democratic Party.
Outlines
Ukraine's Audacious Incursion into Russia and Russia's Response
This chapter discusses Ukraine's recent military incursion into Russia, a significant development in the ongoing war. The chapter explores the background of the operation, the initial response from both sides, and the potential implications for the conflict. It also focuses on Russia's response to the incursion, analyzing the military and political reactions. The chapter explores the reasons behind Russia's seemingly muted response and discusses the potential implications for the future of the conflict.
Biden's Nuclear Strategy Shift and Kamala Harris's Nomination
This chapter reports on President Biden's approval of a new nuclear strategy that focuses on deterring China. The plan acknowledges China's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal and its potential rivalry with the United States and Russia. The chapter then reports on Vice President Kamala Harris's formal nomination for president by the Democratic Party. The chapter highlights the jubilant atmosphere at the Democratic National Convention and the speeches by former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Keywords
Nuclear Deterrence
A strategy aimed at preventing an adversary from attacking by threatening a devastating response. It involves maintaining a credible nuclear arsenal and communicating a clear and unambiguous commitment to use it if necessary.
Conscript Soldiers
Soldiers who are required to serve in the military for a specific period of time, typically after high school. They are often less experienced and trained than professional soldiers.
Rally Around the Flag Effect
A phenomenon where public support for a leader or government increases during times of crisis or conflict. This is often driven by a sense of national unity and patriotism.
Red Line
A limit or boundary that, if crossed, will trigger a specific response. In international relations, red lines are often used to signal a country's willingness to use force to defend its interests.
Peace Talks
Negotiations between opposing parties in a conflict, aimed at reaching a peaceful resolution. Peace talks can involve a range of issues, including ceasefires, troop withdrawals, and political settlements.
Geopolitical Goals
Objectives that relate to the international relations and power dynamics between countries. Geopolitical goals can involve expanding influence, securing resources, or protecting national security.
Strategic Military Objectives
Goals that are related to the overall military strategy of a country or organization. Strategic military objectives can involve achieving a decisive victory, controlling key territory, or disrupting an adversary's operations.
Special Operation
A military operation that is conducted outside of the normal course of warfare. Special operations are often characterized by their secrecy, precision, and limited scope.
Q&A
What was the initial response to Ukraine's incursion into Russia?
The initial response was shrouded in secrecy, with reports emerging from Russian social media. It wasn't clear until the second day that this was more than a border skirmish, and that Ukraine had taken control of a rural area in southwestern Russia.
How did Russia respond militarily to the incursion?
Russia appeared unprepared, with Ukraine able to advance deep into the country with minimal resistance. Russia has since dispatched forces, but it's unclear if they have the firepower to end the incursion quickly.
What are the potential implications of Ukraine's incursion for the future of the conflict?
The incursion could potentially strengthen Ukraine's hand in peace talks, as they now hold Russian territory. However, it could also lead to a Russian retaliation, escalating the conflict.
How has Russia's response to the incursion been characterized?
Russia has downplayed the incursion, treating it more like a natural disaster than a military event. They have avoided acknowledging it as a consequence of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
What are the potential outcomes of Ukraine's incursion?
It's unclear whether Ukraine will achieve its goals of diverting Russian troops, pushing for peace talks, or inflicting pain on the Russian people. The incursion could backfire if it leads to a more aggressive Russian response.
Show Notes
Warning: this episode contains descriptions of war.
When Ukrainian troops crossed over into Russia two weeks ago, it appeared at first to be a largely symbolic gesture. But in the time since, it has emerged as a potentially pivotal moment in the war.
Andrew Kramer, the Kyiv bureau chief for The Times, explains what’s behind the audacious Ukrainian operation, and Anton Troianovski, the Moscow bureau chief, explains how Russia’s response could reshape the conflict.
Guest:
- Andrew E. Kramer, the Kyiv bureau chief for The New York Times.
- Anton Troianovski, the Moscow bureau chief for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Planned in secrecy, the incursion was a bold move to upend the war’s dynamics and put Moscow on the defensive — a gambit that could also leave Ukraine exposed.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to hold Russian territory as leverage in future talks. In Moscow, many doubt the strategy.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Table of contents
United States
Lil John mispronounced Kamala. He is not alone among her supporters and detractors alike. personally I would love to be able to criticize the Republicans for mispronouncing her name intentionally as an insult. That becomes harder to do when people on her side don't pronounce her name correctly. I wonder why that is? It's not very hard really. It is Comma la. Not Cam a la or Ca mal a. Maybe it is not important. However, one of the common mis-pronunciations makes her first name sound like Camel.