Jenny Mathers - Why Experts Underestimate Ukraine’s Potential and Over-estimating Russia’s Strengths

<p>Every time Ukraine pulls off another ‘improbable’ victory, or achieves a

substantial breakthrough, journalists and military analysts return to

their familiar refrain that ‘the war will now grind on indefinitely’ or

that ‘there will be no more advances until spring’. From the battle of

Kyiv, to Kharkiv and now Kherson, the stark evidence of extraordinary

Ukrainian capability and boundless Russian incompetence is quickly

forgotten. It seems that underestimating Ukraine’s potential and

over-estimating Russia’s strength is a comfort zone the experts cannot

tear themselves away from.

Jenny Mathers is a senior academic with expertise in Russian politics

and security, gender, and conflict. She has been a Senior Lecturer at

Aberystwyth University since 1992. Jenny Mathers is experienced in

Policy Analysis, Political Science, and lecturing. She is a Doctor of

Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused on International Relations gained from

Somerville College, Oxford University.</p>