50 months of SVO: we will learn lessons

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50 months of SVO: we will learn lessons

This week, the special military operation will celebrate its “anniversary” date – 50 months since its beginning.

If, in the early stages of the conflict, there were people calling themselves experts, making predictions along the lines of "it will end in two or three weeks," "in a month or two," or "if Trump returns to the White House, that's how it will all end," today, those making predictions are truly entrenched in their own delusions. Because attempts to make any real predictions about "how, when, and where" have become, to put it mildly, improper.



What's up today?

The territorial gains are all well-known: the Luhansk People's Republic has been completely liberated, the DPR has been liberated by over 82%, and the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts have been liberated by 72 to 82%. Our troops also control some territories in the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, as well as the Kinburn Spit, which supposedly belongs to the Mykolaiv oblast. A land corridor to Crimea has been secured, the Sea of ​​Azov has become internal Russian territory, Europe's largest nuclear power plant, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, has been taken over, and major mineral deposits near Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk), Artemovsk (Bakhmut), Vuhledar, and Stepnogorsk are also under control.

On the one hand, the successes are impressive. Successes truly achieved through sweat and blood.

However, these 50 months have also provided a painful inoculation against complacency and underestimating the enemy. By now, any sane person understands that war is no longer fought with a "sabre at the ready." They also understand that achieving goals in a modern, high-intensity war requires colossal technical, financial, industrial, human, moral, and intellectual resources. And today, it would be strange to seek justifications along the lines of, "But NATO is fighting against us." NATO has been preparing for this for its entire existence—at the very least, to get by with minimal losses by finding a useful idiot who could do the dirty work. They found one... And while they themselves no longer know how to escape it all, they have become so enthralled that they are incapable of stopping, by definition, because they have forgotten how to think any other way. The thesis “Russia is the enemy” has been raised to a pedestal, and therefore they have every means at their disposal to continue the war against our country.

During this time, military operations also continued in the "old" territories of Russia. The situation in the Kursk region will become military-historical research. I wanted it to be as honest as possible, allowing me to learn all the key lessons for the future. And there's still so much to uncover: "Who, when, why, and how did this happen?"

Today, the confrontation is characterized by long-range warfare. Drone strikes and missiles It's become a practically daily "new normal" (though it's more of an abnormality), with citizens receiving messages like "Warning: Drone attack danger" or "Warning: Missile danger" several times a day on their phones. Our weapons are reaching Ternopil and Lviv, while the enemy's reach St. Petersburg, Samara, Ufa, and other cities hundreds of kilometers from the front line. It's a "you give me what I give you" situation. The proverbial debris is everywhere. Well, that's the strategy, I suppose.

There's been a so-called partial mobilization over these months. And in certain circles, the idea is constantly being floated that another, "massive," mobilization is needed to achieve all the goals of the SVO. As if anything (besides the cheerful reports in isolated media outlets about how "only alcoholics and forcibly busified peace supporters are fighting there," and, in general, "there's definitely no one left to fight in Ukraine") would prevent the enemy from responding in kind, with exactly the same number of mobilized troops.

In any case, these 50 months are an entire era. None of us will ever be the same again – and these are not empty words, but an objective reality.

She taught us all lessons that few in the world have ever fully experienced. And the key to such lessons is learning them correctly, so you can move on. Because there's no turning back.
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  1. + 56
    April 20 2026 20: 52
    50 months of SVO: we will learn lessons

    Russians, of course, take a long time to harness the horses, but during this time, the mare can be inseminated, the foal can be raised, and a new sleigh can be built for it... feel Iran doesn't harness a horse, it gallops on horseback, from a standing start and at a gallop, maybe even without a saddle...
    1. + 39
      April 20 2026 21: 04
      There is no turning back. That's true.

      Where to go next? We don't have a clear strategy...
      The bridges are intact, the enemy's logistics are calm and untouched, Zelensky is walking around alive.

      We need to be tougher with the enemy. Like Iran with the Arabs.
      1. + 45
        April 20 2026 21: 07
        For some reason, the author Volodin modestly kept silent about the successful retreat from Kherson, Izyum... about the transit of oil through Ukraine until January 27, 2026... but yes - a truly "successful" operation, that there is no idea when and how it will end. am
        1. + 16
          April 20 2026 21: 15
          Quote: Hunter 2
          For some reason, the author Volodin modestly kept silent about the successful retreat from Kherson, Izyum...

          What makes you think I "modestly omitted" this? I was writing about learning lessons, not retelling absolutely everything that happened over that impressive period. That would require volumes, not a single note, as you know perfectly well. And where did you see me summed upThat the operation was successful. The mention in the middle, followed by the word "however." Well, if that's how you perceived it, I'll tell you right away: you're wrong.

          And if you came to the comments solely to blame me for the progress of the SVO—for reminding everyone that the SVO has been going on for fifty months now and there's no end in sight—well, fine, I'll take it personally. I'm not the General Staff, so you can downvote me as much as you like...
          1. +2
            April 20 2026 21: 20
            Quote: Volodin


            And if you came to the comments solely to blame all the blame for the entire SVO on me - for reminding me that the SVO has already been around for fifty months, well, fine, I'll take it all personally.

            Not at all, moreover, I considered you to be the most adequate author of the VO, but to remain silent about the fact that for the first time since the Great Patriotic War our cities (according to the referendum and the Constitution) found themselves under occupation is somehow wrong, don’t you think?
            On the one hand, the successes are impressive. Successes truly achieved through sweat and blood.
            Your words.
            1. +1
              April 20 2026 21: 26
              Quote: Hunter 2
              For the first time since the Great Patriotic War, our cities (according to the referendum and the Constitution) found themselves under occupation

              It is written in plain Russian about the Kursk region.

              If you'd like to write your own, fully fleshed-out piece, I think no one here would object. Feel free to suggest it.
              1. +4
                April 20 2026 21: 33
                Quote: Volodin
                Quote: Hunter 2
                For the first time since the Great Patriotic War, our cities (according to the referendum and the Constitution) found themselves under occupation

                It is written in plain Russian about the Kursk region.
                .

                What does the Kursk region (which, thank God, was liberated) have to do with this? I wrote about Kherson and Izyum, and I can add more towns that are under occupation.
                I've never argued with you, it's so funny... especially when you easily change both your text and my comments. laughing
                1. -4
                  April 20 2026 21: 43
                  Quote: Hunter 2
                  What does Kursk Oblast have to do with this?

                  Ah. So it turns out she's no longer involved. What a twist...

                  Quote: Hunter 2
                  Raisins

                  It's much more fun when, in the heat of the moment, you've gotten confused about what you're writing. When did Izyum manage to get in on the referendum and the Constitution, and where did it go?

                  Once again, I'm eager to explain everything myself, and I'm looking forward to your work on this topic (I think it's not just me). And I (and again, not just me) will comment.
                  1. + 10
                    April 20 2026 21: 47
                    Izyum (Kharkiv Oblast) is correct; it wasn't part of Russia. I mentioned it in the context of "abandoned"... about how residents who trusted us and cooperated suffered. Actually, Kherson, a Russian city under occupation, is also a case in point, where those who trusted us suffered as well.
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          3. +5
            April 21 2026 07: 00
            Quote: Volodin
            . the successes are impressive.

            That's true! In four years, we haven't liberated what we lost as a result of a gesture of goodwill, regrouping, and a difficult decision. When will our current successes match those of early 22, at least in terms of the area captured?
      2. +3
        April 21 2026 10: 55
        Zelensky is walking around alive

        Not only is he alive, but he also accepts all sorts of riffraff from the West into his state 404 and even goes to the front with them... That's how we fight...
  2. + 21
    April 20 2026 20: 52
    I read it. I thought about it. But I have nothing to say. Our self-congratulatory attitude has ended tragically. And what's next is unknown. Our only hope is the army. "Reformers" and "Experts" are tiresome and disgusting.
  3. -1
    April 20 2026 20: 53
    NATO hasn't gotten into the swing of things. Now they need Russia's resources more than ever, which is why they're drooling.
    1. +6
      April 21 2026 08: 12
      You write that NATO desperately needs Russia's resources. Ukrainian tanks are already fueled by Russian oil. European factories producing ammunition and weapons for Ukraine rely on Russian energy. The British are actively buying up our gold and LNG gas on the cheap—and so on...
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  5. + 21
    April 20 2026 20: 57
    Well, at least one useful lesson from the SVO. Perhaps a saving one for Russia, despite other losses: Shoigu is no successor. And it looked like that. Then everything would have been completely destroyed.
    1. +3
      April 21 2026 12: 12
      We don’t know who will be our successor sooner or later, until we know with peace of mind.
  6. +8
    April 20 2026 21: 13
    It's dragging on so much, it's enough to put you to sleep. Wake up Mr. Stalin so he can finish it.
  7. +7
    April 20 2026 21: 17
    However, during these 50 months, a painful inoculation against complacency and underestimation of the enemy was also received.

    More likely an overestimation. It was assumed that they would be smart enough not to become cannon fodder for NATO, just as the Georgians were smart enough not to fight "to the last horseman."
    1. +4
      April 21 2026 06: 09
      Quote: Dart2027
      However, during these 50 months, a painful inoculation against complacency and underestimation of the enemy was also received.

      It's still unclear where the author got the idea that the vaccine works. It's painful, yes. But I recall one of our famous COVID vaccines—to use the author's analogies—isn't the water in this one similarly colored? And nothing but pain and self-hypnosis?
  8. +7
    April 20 2026 21: 23
    At the beginning of the conflict, there were people calling themselves experts and yet making predictions like “it will end in two or three weeks,” “in a month or two,” or “if Trump returns to the White House, that’s how it will all end.”

    But it wasn’t some specific experts who said this; it was the opinion of the majority, if not in the world, then at least here.
    You can check out the articles here on VO and what people wrote in the comments. I personally remember the one about "our fighters need to give a gift to the women and finish everything by March 8th."
    Again, comments on the news about arms deliveries, the gist of which was that in six months, a year, a couple of years, when these weapons are delivered, Ukraine will simply cease to exist.
    So blaming everything on "experts" and "psychics" is a bit strange.
  9. + 23
    April 20 2026 21: 27
    People are already tormented by vague doubts: are the patrons of our apartment courts and the Ukrainian telephone scammers who allow data centers to operate undisturbed the same people? And it's embarrassing to even ask about the enemy's logistics, which have been functioning flawlessly for five years. It's easier to turn to the Persians for help, remembering the North Koreans who actually recaptured Kursk.
  10. + 27
    April 20 2026 21: 34
    There is no enemy more terrible to us than ourselves.
    Thieving generals, greedy ministers, crooked governors, elite elites...
    A haphazardly constructed mess, under the motto "this will do!" Empty warehouses, pro forma orders, fake musters, colorful tanks, dilapidated training schools, plundered storage bases, and military registration and enlistment offices with their files devoured by mice...
    This is where we started.
    And even with such “glorious” baggage, our real Soldiers and real Officers have endured and continue to endure all the hardships of this war!
    .
  11. + 42
    April 20 2026 21: 38
    I'll repeat what I wrote a few weeks ago, even before some of the war correspondents started expressing the same idea. Namely, Victory in the SVO is unattainable. I understand the barrage of criticism, accusations, and reproaches I could face. But I've always tried to express my thoughts directly and clearly, even when they conflicted with common desires and fantasies (as with Syria, for example). The author is mistaken; no lessons have been learned. They can't be learned, as this is a systemic crisis. Once again, the government's leadership (in general, including the security forces) is incompetent. This was demonstrated by the entire previous course of the Central Military District, as well as by the state of the Russian economy. Crises have always been resolved in the same logical way: by seeking those capable of changing the situation. This requires leadership changes—in the government, the General Staff, and the Ministry of Defense (we'll leave GDP out of consideration for now). BUT, this essentially means the collapse of the entire Russian system of power, as "strangers don't go there." And one more thing: if talented, proactive, patriotic (and therefore conscientious) people were to rise to high positions, they would inevitably come to the conclusion that it was necessary to remove from power those who were an obstacle to the country's progress. It's as clear as 2 x 2 = 4. How could they, for example, work well with Shoigu, Gerasimov, General Kuzovlev, or Manturov and Nabiullina? They would become the main threat to the government. And those at the top understand this as clearly as I do, I'm sure of it. I think I've expressed my thoughts concisely and convincingly enough.
    1. +1
      April 21 2026 15: 09
      "I'll repeat what I wrote several weeks ago, even before some war correspondents began expressing the same idea. Namely, victory in the Central Military District is unattainable. And I understand the barrage of criticism, accusations, and reproaches that could be heaped upon me." Why do you think so? The issue is truly crucial. But there are other opinions—for example, K.V. Sivkov believes that the forces are sufficient in terms of numbers—two full-fledged WWII fronts—and that organizing two successful combined arms offensive operations would be no problem. All that's needed is the political will and a political decision.
      1. 0
        April 21 2026 15: 39
        Quote: Alexander Raykov
        "I'll repeat what I wrote several weeks ago, even before some war correspondents began expressing the same idea. Namely, victory in the Central Military District is unattainable. And I understand the barrage of criticism, accusations, and reproaches that could be heaped upon me." Why do you think so? The issue is truly crucial. But there are other opinions—for example, K.V. Sivkov believes that the forces are sufficient in terms of numbers—two full-fledged WWII fronts—and that organizing two successful combined arms offensive operations would be no problem. All that's needed is the political will and a political decision.

        1) Sivkov is a modern-day holy fool; he's said such things on air that it's truly enough to make even the saints lose their temper. For example, on Solovyov's show in 2023...
        Back in May of last year, we could have ended the Soviet military operation with an encirclement operation... "And then I remember being deeply outraged by our president's statement, "We will not create a Stalingrad near Donbas." Now I understand the full depth of that plan."... "Imagine if everyone had done all that. The question of the profound modernization of the armed forces that has been announced wouldn't be on the agenda. We wouldn't have experienced spiritual polarization. The spiritual mobilization of society wouldn't have taken place. If that had been done then, the moral and psychological conditions for the profound reforms that are long overdue in our country would not have been created. Today, the delay in the special operation... has a serious positive aspect.»
        And after everything he said, do you seriously consider Sivkov adequate, if not normal? 2)
        If only there were political will and a political decision.
        So, I didn't quite get it: the SVO is in its fifth year, and you're still looking for a way to find solutions? Well, good luck in your search. Incidentally, if I remember correctly, Sivkov himself said in one of his online videos that the SVO is on track and ahead of schedule. Trust people like Sivkov and don't worry about anything. Good luck to you. hi
        1. 0
          April 21 2026 19: 17
          Sivkov says what the Presidential Administration and the General Staff want to hear. So we won't get the truth from him; he's afraid to voice it. I don't think he's so stupid that he doesn't understand what's going on; he's just a political weathervane.
  12. + 20
    April 20 2026 21: 43
    The author somehow modestly omitted the acquisition of some thirty million "one people" who hate us with a savage hatred, some of whom have spread throughout Europe and partly throughout the world. A couple of million came to us, and the State provided them with absolutely everything. Now they live happily, laugh at our country, and quietly hate us. They're like villagers, only more educated and indistinguishable in a crowd, which makes them doubly dangerous.
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  14. +5
    April 20 2026 21: 47
    The lesson is essentially the same.
    Constant change is the objective reality.
    You either need to quickly change in parallel with the changes, or be one step ahead and constantly change reality yourself.
    If we fail to work proactively, we will bring the situation to a global conflict.
    And then it will be difficult to put “the whole world into ruins.”
  15. + 10
    April 20 2026 21: 48
    Our horse got stuck at the crossing. Neither forward nor backward.
  16. + 13
    April 20 2026 21: 54
    The results of the "North-West War" have long since ceased to be summarized, since everything has long been clear to everyone. So, of course, the author is a good man, in some ways a brave man – he touched on a topic that is indecent to talk about, but on the other hand, it reminds me of the joke about the Estonian in the elevator. Various theses about the wrong experts talking about a war in 2-3 months (in fact, these experts are the Russian government, and the time is 2-3 days, not months), or the evil NATO, which found idiots in the form of Ukrainians for an endless war (from which it follows that Ukraine started the NOR and, by occupying Russian territory, demands that it remain for itself) can simply be ignored; this is a modern "mandatory program." Regarding the results:
    1) Has a better peace than the pre-war one been achieved, or is there even a chance of achieving one? No. Which means that the war has already been strategically lost by Russia (and, of course, by Ukraine as well).
    2) Is there a chance of dismantling the Maidan political regime in Ukraine, or at least of its military defeat? No, there is no such chance, and the Russian authorities do not set such a goal for themselves.
    3) Is there any chance of somehow legally formalizing the annexation of certain territories to the Russian Federation? No, at most, de facto control will be achieved.
    4) Is there any chance of ending this war with a peace treaty? No. More precisely, there is, but that would require giving up some or all of the "new territory," which is only possible after Putin leaves power.
    What are the chances? An endless war—either with an active phase until reaching the DPR border, or if reaching it is impossible at all. The active phase will continue while Russia has money and people. Then a ceasefire.
    1. + 15
      April 20 2026 22: 09
      It's simple. The government has no political will. And they're always preoccupied. But all it takes is a couple of factories in Poland to be destroyed, and everything will fall into place. And no one in the West will even twitch.
      1. -1
        April 22 2026 01: 59
        They'll move. But not right away. They have plenty of options. They'll sacrifice Poland, the other Tribalts, and the Finns without blinking an eye. The Anglo-Saxons will only be stopped by the threat of a massive nuclear strike.
  17. -4
    April 21 2026 08: 28
    The article is extremely necessary and relevant, but I was expecting conclusions, and a little bit of a prediction, but... that didn't happen. Just like in reality, all expectations are dashed. Therefore, I will touch on a couple of topics that greatly influence the course of the SVO. 1. This is a global world confrontation. Russia has submitted a bid for leadership, at least sovereignty, while the world hegemon is trying to force us into submission. Sanctions and proxies like Ukraine are being used, and the Czech Republic, Poland, and Kazakhstan are next in line. Lately, the fifth column has been the most successful. Therefore, the SVO and victory in it are secondary.
    2. Russophobia in Ukraine (and not only in Ukraine). We can't even decide among ourselves what victory means to us, and we wonder what goals our country is pursuing in the North-Eastern Front. But the root cause is the hatred of non-brothers. The USSR tried to appease Ukrainians, integrate into Soviet society. To be fair, nothing worked out with the other republics in this regard either. The Americans could open a second front at any moment. And this problem must be addressed first and foremost. There are also other obscure issues that make the SVO so obscure.
    1. +4
      April 21 2026 08: 37
      Incidentally, one of the most important indicators is that we've survived so far. Our economy and elites are entirely tied to the West. On the other hand, perhaps it would have been more correct to quickly seize all of Ukraine and restore order there. On the other hand, the possible goal of the SVO is the fundamental undermining of the Slavic gene pool. Who knows how great the betrayal would be!
      By the way 2:
      50 months of SVO: we will learn lessons

      I would like to at least voice the topics of the lessons.
  18. +4
    April 21 2026 09: 29
    The ruling regime in Russia has learned one lesson: it turns out that it is not worthwhile to continue to constantly repeat the mantra "SVO is going according to plan!" It turns out that this has long been causing irritation among the Russian population!
  19. +2
    April 21 2026 09: 55
    Cina e Russia non intendono frenare le spregiudicatezze di Trump. . quindi con la carta bianca delle 2 potenze militari lo Yankee si sente in dovere di proseguire lo sterminio dei popoli a pro domo suo.
  20. +5
    April 21 2026 10: 19
    The main lesson hasn't been learned: you can't lie or make mistakes. Management stubbornly continues to do both.
  21. +1
    April 21 2026 10: 25
    Mass mobilization can be declared, but the budget can't handle it. So they're marking time.
    1. +2
      April 21 2026 19: 30
      The economy is already on its last legs, and now we're faced with the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of workers. And, as it turns out, there are no uniforms for the new recruits; they were stolen. But we can't drag things out. For us to win, Putin needs to take tough measures. I'm afraid to voice them, as they won't please the majority. But if we don't take the plunge, the outlook is bleak.
    2. +1
      April 22 2026 19: 39
      Quote: O. Bender
      Mass mobilization can be declared, but the budget can't handle it. So they're marking time.

      Hello, in Russia there was always money to be found, but at the moment the oligarchs have grabbed all the money for themselves.
      As for mobilization, it should have begun on 26/02/22 and continue until the Kiev regime is completely destroyed.
      In Ukraine, from 2014 to 2022, there were, it seems, eight waves of mobilization, and we all laughed about these waves ha-ha-ha-ha, but Russia didn't come to war.
      What we have now is that the Kyiv army is combat-ready.
      Earlier, the Kremlin announced completely different goals and objectives of this SVO and
  22. +4
    April 21 2026 11: 21
    After the Great Patriotic War, thousands of our villages, destroyed by war, were never rebuilt. The same thing is happening now in the border areas and in our territories where the war is currently raging. It's unlikely that many people will return to their villages and towns after this still-unclear operation, and besides, large cities are always rebuilt first.
  23. 0
    April 21 2026 14: 26
    Quote: Hunter 2
    especially when you easily change both your text and my comments.

    I've noticed some words being automatically changed on the website. It's a shame you blame the author.
  24. -2
    April 21 2026 17: 33
    No, I just don't know what to write. The author comes up with all sorts of things, not very good. Well, just like Ukrainians From the Nazi EU and the US-based axis. Is it too hard to go through the points? Or do you want to play on emotions like the rats Rybar, Podolyaka, Two Majors, and other such crap?
  25. +1
    April 21 2026 20: 17
    We've been studying for a while, it's already the fifth month of school. This kind of study is hard for Russia, the cemeteries are growing. Apparently the teachers aren't very competent.
  26. +3
    April 21 2026 23: 00
    Quote: Ilya-spb
    There is no turning back. That's true.

    Where to go next? We don't have a clear strategy...
    The bridges are intact, the enemy's logistics are calm and untouched, Zelensky is walking around alive.

    We need to be tougher with the enemy. Like Iran with the Arabs.

    "Shurik, those aren't our methods." And have you thought about the little capital and mansions of bureaucrats and oligarchs in the West? They'll be wiped out if they "get tougher with the enemy." And the elite tirelessly protect these little capitals and mansions.
    1. +2
      April 22 2026 09: 18
      That's why, personally, I celebrate Vladimir Ilyich Lenin's birthday!
      Whatever the defeatists may say, he was a great man. And his memory will live on with my generation.
      Lenin lived, Lenin is alive, Lenin will live!
  27. +1
    April 22 2026 08: 22
    Slovakia is about to receive oil from Russia and impose sanctions against it! What a surreal thing. This isn't even a SVO, it's some kind of October Mort.
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  29. ayk
    +1
    April 22 2026 14: 22
    It's becoming clear that Russia's military-industrial complex didn't force the issue and was waiting for something to happen. It's now clear that the US has withdrawn from the conflict in Ukraine and is bogged down in Iran. Europe will only be ready for war in 2029-2030. A window of opportunity has opened, and we must seize it. We can't drag it out any longer; we must fight with full force.
  30. +1
    April 22 2026 23: 02
    As if something... would prevent the enemy from responding in kind, with exactly the same number of mobilized forces.

    The enemy will be prevented from responding with exactly the same number of mobilized forces by a simple shortage of people - if this has not already been noticed.
    With a 5:1 population ratio, the enemy is in no way capable of retaliating with a mobilization of approximately 3 million or more reserves. Moreover, even 3 million wouldn't be necessary if they deployed conscripts at the front. Or maybe they lack weapons and ammunition? Or are there no weakly protected areas of the border where they could advance with significant superiority? Just don't spout nonsense that a properly organized offensive by a 3 million-strong ground army, with several thousand aircraft (including training aircraft, An-2s, and the like), tens of thousands of guns, mortars, and multiple rocket launchers, tens of thousands of tanks and armored vehicles, and several hundred thousand drones, can be stopped with a small force and FPV drones.