[GK3]

The difference is that in World War II, Russia was mobilized for total war, plus the Germans were fighting on multiple fronts, and their industrial base was being systematically dismantled. Russia is still pretending that this is a “special military operation”.

Ukraine is fighting for its survival and getting resupplied in real time.  A battle of attrition in 1943 favored the Russians.  Nearly 80 years later, it doesn’t.

BC

True. On top of that Ukraine has modern artillery that is much more accurate, somewhat longer range, and much more destructive. Back then even hitting a bridge would require lots more shelling. The longer range means that clearing the opposite bank is much harder as you have to sanitize much further from the bridgehead before you can even put in the bridge. The Russians couldn't/didn't even attempt to do that. Even more advantage to the guys on the Western bank of the river.

However, what I got from the article was that even 80 years ago Russia ran into heavy opposition and failed to cross the river on several attempts. They kept banging away, just like they did this time. They lost a division commander, which back then was a big deal, and the better part of their force. Even when they finally got a bridge across the river it was four months before the Russians were able to launch an effective offensive out of the bridgehead, during which time they also suffered massive losses. They should have known that best case the river crossing wasn't going to be easy and would be very costly. It appears the Russians did anticipate that more than one attempt would be needed, but the force they assembled just wasn't up to it. They should have known.

Another article worth reading
 https://mwi.usma.edu/putins-bad-math-the...n-ukraine/
Also Max Boot's recent article in the Washington Post is worth some time.  I do find the reported Russian tank losses to be difficult to get my head around.  600 tanks is a rather large number to my way of thinking.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/...-quagmire/

[GK3]

The difference is that in World War II, Russia was mobilized for total war, plus the Germans were fighting on multiple fronts, and their industrial base was being systematically dismantled. Russia is still pretending that this is a “special military operation”.

Ukraine is fighting for its survival and getting resupplied in real time.  A battle of attrition in 1943 favored the Russians.  Nearly 80 years later, it doesn’t.

BC

True. On top of that Ukraine has modern artillery that is much more accurate, somewhat longer range, and much more destructive. Back then even hitting a bridge would require lots more shelling. The longer range means that clearing the opposite bank is much harder as you have to sanitize much further from the bridgehead before you can even put in the bridge. The Russians couldn't/didn't even attempt to do that. Even more advantage to the guys on the Western bank of the river.

However, what I got from the article was that even 80 years ago Russia ran into heavy opposition and failed to cross the river on several attempts. They kept banging away, just like they did this time. They lost a division commander, which back then was a big deal, and the better part of their force. Even when they finally got a bridge across the river it was four months before the Russians were able to launch an effective offensive out of the bridgehead, during which time they also suffered massive losses. They should have known that best case the river crossing wasn't going to be easy and would be very costly. It appears the Russians did anticipate that more than one attempt would be needed, but the force they assembled just wasn't up to it. They should have known.

Another article worth reading
 https://mwi.usma.edu/putins-bad-math-the...n-ukraine/
Also Max Boot's recent article in the Washington Post is worth some time.  I do find the reported Russian tank losses to be difficult to get my head around.  600 tanks is a rather large number to my way of thinking.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/...-quagmire/