Published TUESDAY May 6, 2025: 'Russia's FOREVER WAR' by ZUMA Press via TASS photo-journalist Alexei Konovalov: The US and Europe must invest in resisting Russia now or pay a far greater cost later. Russia is likely to walk away from the war in Ukraine emboldened and, once it has reconstituted its military capacity, spoiling for another fight to revise the security order in Europe. Giving in to Russia's demands will not make it any easier or cheaper to defend Europe, look at the events of the past two decades. At every turn, the war in Georgia in 2008, Russia's first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, and its deployment of troops to Syria in 2015, Putin has grown only more willing to take risks as he comes to believe that doing so pays off. The Kremlin will look to pocket any concessions from the West for ending the current war, such as sanctions relief, to strengthen its hand for the next one. Russia is clearly investing in a transformation of its military. It's the real reason that Europe is mobilizing. Welcome to 'Russia's FOREVER WAR'
© zReportage.com Issue #988 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY May 6, 2025: 'Russia's FOREVER WAR' by ZUMA Press via TASS photo-journalist Alexei Konovalov: The US and Europe must invest in resisting Russia now or pay a far greater cost later. Russia is likely to walk away from the war in Ukraine emboldened and, once it has reconstituted its military capacity, spoiling for another fight to revise the security order in Europe. Giving in to Russia's demands will not make it any easier or cheaper to defend Europe, look at the events of the past two decades. At every turn, the war in Georgia in 2008, Russia's first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, and its deployment of troops to Syria in 2015, Putin has grown only more willing to take risks as he comes to believe that doing so pays off. The Kremlin will look to pocket any concessions from the West for ending the current war, such as sanctions relief, to strengthen its hand for the next one. Russia is clearly investing in a transformation of its military. It's the real reason that Europe is mobilizing. Welcome to 'Russia's FOREVER WAR'
A serviceman the Russian Armed Forces assault regiment is deployed on defensive positions by the Kakhovka Reservoir. The team's key tasks include reconnaissance, eliminating (drones) UAVs, and keeping the Ukrainian Army'a sabotage and reconnaissance groups from landing.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Servicemen of an air defense unit of the Airborne Dnepr Group of the Russian Armed Forces fire a 23mm ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun ion the frontlines in the Kherson region during the war with Ukraine.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Russian serviceman of an airborne artillery battalion with the Dnepr Group of the Russian Armed Forces removes a spent shell while operatting a Msta-B towed 152 mm howitzer ion the frontons in the war with Ukraine.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Servicemen of a Russian Army Group Dnieper 18th Combined Arms Army artillery unit are seen during a combat mission involving the use of a 152mm Giatsint-B field gun on the frontlines during he war with Ukraine.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
A Msta-B towed 152 mm howitzer deployed by servicemen of an airborne artillery battalion with the Dnepr Group of the Russian Armed Forces fires from the tree line towards Ukrainian forces.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
A Russian crewman covers his ears and fires a D-30 howitzer with the 18th Combined Arms Army, Dnepr Group of Forces, in the Kherson Region frontline during the war with Ukraine.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
A serviceman of a Russian Airborne Troops artillery brigade with the Dnepr Group of the Russian Armed Forces operates a 152mm 2A36 Giatsint-B self-propelled gun toward Ukrainian positions on the frontlines of the war.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
A serviceman with the tank battalion of the 205th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces' Dnepr Group using the call sign 'Blagodarny' prepares a T-72B3 tank for a mission on the frontlines during the Russia's war with Ukraine.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Servicemen with a motor rifle unit receive defensive combat training with the Dnepr Group of Forces on the coast of the Black Sea in Crimea.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Russian army crew carefully load live ordinance into a T-72B3M tank with the 18th Combined Arms Army, Dnepr Group of Forces, during the war with Ukraine in the Kherson Region.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Members of a Russian Army Mechanized Infantry Regiment artillery unit fire from a 152mm Giatsint-B field gun during a combat mission in the Kherson Region during Russia's war with Ukraine.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Russian soldier carries on his shoulder a 122mm shell for a D-30 howitzer with the 18th Combined Arms Army, Dnepr Group of Forces, on the Kershon frontlines during the war with Ukraine.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Wearing a VR headset, a Russian serviceman receives drone pilot training in the Kherson Region during Russia's war with Ukraine.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Viewed from above, Russian servicemen with a motor rifle unit receive defensive combat training with the Dnepr Group of Forces on the coast of the Black Sea in Crimea.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Camouflaged Russian servicemen with a motor rifle unit practice beach and coastline patrols as part of defensive combat training with the Dnepr Group of Forces on the coast of the Black Sea in Crimea.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Russian servicemen with a motor rifle brigade of the Dnepr Group of Forces receive FPV strike drone pilot training during the war with Ukraine in the Kherson Region.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Russian serviceman with a motor rifle brigade of the Dnepr Group of Forces receives FPV strike drone pilot training during the war with Ukraine in the Kherson Region.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
View from a camera on a remote mining FPV drone launched by Russian sappers with with the Dnepr Group of Forces which carries an anti-personnel fragmentation mine over a dirt road within the Ukraine-held territory.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Servicemen of the Dnepr Group of the Russian Armed Forces attend a Christmas Eve service at a dugout cathedral in the Kherson Region during the war with Ukraine. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas according to the Julian calendar.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Russian servicemen of the Dnepr Group of the Russian Armed Forces attend a Christmas Eve service at a dugout cathedral Kherson Region during the war with Ukraine. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas according to the Julian calendar.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Russian servicemen of the Dnepr Group of the Russian Armed Forces attend a Christmas Eve service at a dugout cathedral in the Kherson Region during the war with Ukraine. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas according to the Julian calendar.
© Alexei Konovalov/TASS via ZUMA Press
