Episode
Inside Russia’s Military Catastrophe
25:30
Published: Wed Jan 04 2023
Description
This episode contains strong language and descriptions of violence.When Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, many believed the country’s army would quickly crush the Ukrainian forces. Instead, Russian military failures have defined the war.Today, we hear from Russian soldiers, and explore why a military superpower keeps making the same mistakes and why, despite it all, its soldiers keep going back to fight.Guest: Michael Schwirtz, an investigative reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: Secret battle plans, intercepted communications and interviews with Russian soldiers explain how a “walk in the park” became a catastrophe for Russia.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Chapters
Investigative journalist Michael Schwartz discusses why the Russian military has been unable to execute successful war plans and why its soldiers continue to fight, despite repeated mistakes.
00:00 - 04:27 (04:27)
Summary
Investigative journalist Michael Schwartz discusses why the Russian military has been unable to execute successful war plans and why its soldiers continue to fight, despite repeated mistakes.
EpisodeInside Russia’s Military Catastrophe
PodcastThe Daily
The Russian military hired the Wagner group, a private military contractor, to replace their experienced soldiers and strengthen their forces.
04:27 - 08:45 (04:18)
Summary
The Russian military hired the Wagner group, a private military contractor, to replace their experienced soldiers and strengthen their forces. The group faced heavy fire from Ukrainian troops and their leader has received lucrative contracts catering to the military and government officials, including Vladimir Putin.
EpisodeInside Russia’s Military Catastrophe
PodcastThe Daily
In Ukraine, prisoners are being sent to the front lines to serve as counter-fighters and wear down Ukrainian forces.
08:45 - 15:42 (06:56)
Summary
In Ukraine, prisoners are being sent to the front lines to serve as counter-fighters and wear down Ukrainian forces. Some are also working as body collectors for the Russian military contractor Wagner.
EpisodeInside Russia’s Military Catastrophe
PodcastThe Daily
A Russian soldier shares his experience of fighting in Ukraine, where he found himself on the front line with barely any training and little sense of what he was supposed to be doing.
15:42 - 22:45 (07:02)
Summary
A Russian soldier shares his experience of fighting in Ukraine, where he found himself on the front line with barely any training and little sense of what he was supposed to be doing. Despite being injured, he fully expects to be discharged from the hospital and to return to Ukraine willingly.
EpisodeInside Russia’s Military Catastrophe
PodcastThe Daily
A group of hard right Republicans reject Representative Kevin McCarthy in three different rounds of voting for Speaker of the House.
22:45 - 25:22 (02:37)
Summary
A group of hard right Republicans reject Representative Kevin McCarthy in three different rounds of voting for Speaker of the House. In other news, NFL player Damar Hamlin is in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest during a game.