Opinion
Opinion

1918 Redux?

1918 Redux?
Ukrainian soldiers fire a mortar towards positions of Russian troops near Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Aug. 26, 2025. Iryna Rybakova/Ukraine's 93rd Mechanized Brigade via AP
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Commentary

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, numerous commentators have drawn comparisons to the First World War. While many observers of today’s “modern, drone-saturated, battlefield” dismiss such analogies as outdated, some of the parallels are striking and deserve examination. Despite the differences in politics and technology, the current war is clearly one of attrition; just like World War One. Two historical touchpoints stand out: the Russian approach to warfare, and the experience of the Western Front in the final year of World War One.

John Beckner
John Beckner
Author
John Beckner is the CEO of Horizon Technologies, a UK aerospace company involved in maritime intelligence and ISR systems and data.