The Architecture of a New European Security System Must Be Built on a Ukrainian Foundation

The full-scale war against Ukraine is setting new rules and military doctrines that must be taken into account when building a collective European security system oriented toward new challenges and technologies.

This war has completely overturned traditional notions of warfare: aviation can no longer freely dominate the skies, while large warships and advanced tanks are no longer invincible and can be destroyed by drones. Drones have become a key element capable of effectively countering heavy equipment by conducting reconnaissance, targeting, and strikes. Therefore, to effectively confront modern threats, Europe’s future security architecture must take into account new challenges and opportunities — in particular, Ukraine’s experience and expertise.

Today, European intelligence agencies are repeatedly reporting that Russia could be ready for a new war against EU countries as early as 2030, while European leaders state that Moscow poses an existential threat to Europe, just as it does to Ukraine. February 24, 2022, forever divided the world into “before” and “after,” and only a military victory over Russia can guarantee security on the continent.

The Russian army is a force with real combat experience in high-technology, high-intensity warfare and rapid tactical-level adaptation: it actively develops and employs drones, artillery, electronic warfare systems, and makes massive use of manpower to advance and breach defenses. The main difference between Russian forces and European armies is Russia’s acceptance of extremely high human losses to achieve strategic goals. As reported by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian losses amounted to 185,000 personnel in just the first five months of 2025. Total Russian army losses since 2022 are approaching one million.

As of December 2024, the size of the Russian military stood at around 1.5 million service members, with plans to expand the army by an additional 150,000 in 2025. As of March 2025, the ground component of Russia’s force grouping in the war consisted of approximately 620,000 troops, more than 200,000 of whom were assault units deployed along the front line.

To replenish its forces, Russia offers contracts with attractive terms (around $38,000 per contract), social benefits, and bonuses. Each contract soldier costs the Russian budget approximately $3,000 per month. Russia is also actively recruiting foreign mercenaries, to whom it offers $2,000 for signing a contract, medical insurance, and a Russian passport for the soldier and their family members.

At the same time, Russia separately and in parallel employs cyberattacks and missile strikes on infrastructure, terrorist acts against civilians, sabotage operations, an extensive agent network, information and propaganda tools, and other instruments aimed at undermining the morale and resilience of both the armed forces and the civilian population in resisting aggression.

The full article was published on EW

Author: Serhii Kuzan

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine