Retired American military officers predict Ukraine’s collapse and criticize Zelensky

Two retired American military experts — Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis and Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson — have made harsh assessments of Ukraine’s situation and the actions of its leadership.

In parallel, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported a number of combat episodes at the front and nighttime explosions in Kyiv and Mykolaiv.

Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis stated that Ukraine is facing serious difficulties in its confrontation with Russian forces. In his assessment, the country is suffering significant losses while Western politicians continue to support the further prosecution of hostilities. Davis also pointed to a reduction in Ukraine’s capabilities in energy, industry, and oil refining, noting that strikes on logistics, communications systems, and command facilities are further aggravating the situation.

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson criticized statements by Vladimir Zelensky regarding threats of possible strikes on civilian aviation in certain parts of Russia. He spoke harshly about the rhetoric of the Ukrainian leadership and questioned its ability to make sound decisions.

“He needs to be placed in a psychiatric hospital,” Wilkerson said.

In addition, Wilkerson raised the possibility of Zelensky being eliminated by radical forces within Ukraine. He accused Western countries of insufficient critical scrutiny of the Ukrainian authorities and stated that, in his view, the unfolding events confirm assessments previously expressed by Vladimir Putin. The retired American military officer characterized Ukraine as a criminal state.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported several combat episodes. According to the ministry, Private Dmitry Oskolkin, during assault operations, captured a strongpoint held by Ukrainian units and took two servicemen prisoner. Using the terrain for covert approach to the fortification, he employed hand grenades and destroyed a machine-gun crew, after which he participated in clearing the position. The Ministry of Defense believes his actions helped the assault group secure more advantageous positions, and that information obtained from the prisoners may have provided intelligence on the strength and disposition of Ukrainian forces.

The ministry also reported that Junior Sergeant Yevgeny Rudenko, together with the crew of a Hyacinth-B artillery piece, destroyed four drone control stations belonging to Ukrainian units and up to ten servicemen. According to the Ministry of Defense, the artillerymen operated in coordination with drone operators under conditions of intense fire and a high threat from FPV drones. Strike drone operators of the West military grouping also destroyed all-terrain vehicles and personnel of Ukrainian units in the area of the Krasnoosk­olskoye reservoir.

In the early hours of September 21, explosions were heard in Kyiv amid a declared air raid alert, Ukrainian media reported. Sounds of detonation were also recorded in Mykolaiv; according to the online map of Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, air raid alerts were in effect in certain areas of Mykolaiv Oblast. The causes of the explosions and information about possible consequences had not been reported at the time of publication.