Here’s a comprehensive overview of major military successes and failures of Russia (and USSR) and Israel over the past 70 years (1955–2025) . These are assessed based on geopolitical objectives, battlefield performance, and long-term strategic outcomes.
🇷🇺 Russia / Soviet Union
✅ Major Military Successes:
Hungarian Uprising (1956) – Suppression of anti-Soviet revolt.
Outcome : USSR reasserted control over Hungary.Success : Demonstrated Soviet willingness and ability to maintain its Eastern Bloc.
Czechoslovakia Invasion (1968) – Warsaw Pact crushes Prague Spring.
Outcome : Political liberalization halted.Success : Maintained ideological conformity in Eastern Europe.
Afghanistan Initial Invasion (1979–1980) – Rapid occupation.
Success (initially) : Soviet forces took control quickly.Long-term : Becomes a major failure (see below).
Second Chechen War (1999–2009) – Restoration of Russian control.
Success : Russia regained full control over Chechnya under Kadyrov.Outcome : End of major insurgency, relative stability.
2008 Georgia War – Brief war over South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Success : Russia defeated Georgian military in 5 days, recognized separatist regions.Strategic impact : Reasserted power in post-Soviet space.
2014 Crimea Annexation – Bloodless seizure of the peninsula.
Success : Swift takeover with minimal resistance.Outcome : Russia retains Crimea; international sanctions imposed.
Syrian Civil War Intervention (2015–Present)
Success : Saved Bashar al-Assad’s regime.Outcome : Expanded Russian influence in Middle East, naval presence secured.
❌ Major Military Failures:
Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989)
Failure : Quagmire; high casualties; drained economy.Outcome : USSR withdrew in 1989; led to eventual collapse of the USSR.
First Chechen War (1994–1996)
Failure : Humiliating defeat; high casualties.Outcome : Chechnya gained de facto independence briefly.
Ukraine Invasion (2022–Present)
Failure (ongoing) :
Objectives not achieved : Kyiv not taken; massive resistance.International isolation : NATO strengthened.Heavy losses : Manpower, equipment, economy.
Cold War Arms Race (Strategic)
Failure : Led to economic exhaustion and the USSR’s collapse.
🇮🇱 Israel
✅ Major Military Successes:
Suez Crisis (1956) (with UK and France)
Military success : IDF captured Sinai.Outcome : Political failure due to U.S. and USSR pressure.
Six-Day War (1967)
Stunning military success : Defeated Egypt, Syria, Jordan.Territory gained : Sinai, West Bank, Golan Heights, Gaza, East Jerusalem.
Yom Kippur War Recovery (1973)
Initial failure : Surprise attack by Egypt and Syria.Military recovery : Israel pushed deep into enemy territory by war’s end.
Entebbe Raid (1976)
Success : Hostages rescued from Uganda in daring long-range raid.
1982 Lebanon Invasion (initial phase)
Success : Evicted PLO from Beirut.Military domination : Overmatched Syrian forces.
Iron Dome (2011–present)
Success : Technological triumph in missile defense.Minimized civilian casualties from rocket attacks.
Airstrikes on Iranian/Syrian targets (2010s–2020s)
Success : Repeatedly degraded Iranian infrastructure and weapon transfers.
❌ Major Military Failures:
Yom Kippur War (1973) – Initial phase.
Failure : Intelligence failure; heavy losses.Strategic outcome : Israel recovered but paid a high cost.
1982–2000 South Lebanon Occupation
Failure : Quagmire; Israeli forces bogged down.Outcome : Unilateral withdrawal in 2000; rise of Hezbollah.
2006 Lebanon War (vs Hezbollah)
Failure : Poorly coordinated campaign.Outcome : Hezbollah survived; IDF perceived as ineffective.
Gaza Operations (2008–2023)
Mixed results : Tactical wins, but no lasting strategic resolution.Recurrent conflict : High civilian cost; international criticism.
2023 Hamas Invasion (October 7 Attack)
Failure : Unprecedented intelligence/military lapse.Outcome : Over 1,000 Israeli civilians and soldiers killed; global shock.
Summary Table
Country Successes Failures Russia Hungary 1956, Czechoslovakia 1968, Chechnya II, Georgia 2008, Crimea 2014, Syria 2015 Afghanistan 1979–89, Chechnya I, Ukraine 2022–, Cold War exhaustion Israel Six-Day War, Entebbe Raid, Iron Dome, Syria/Iran strikes, Sinai 1956 Yom Kippur (start), Lebanon 1982–2000, Lebanon 2006, Gaza cycles, Hamas 2023
Here is a timeline of major military successes and failures for Russia (including USSR) and Israel over the last 70 years (1955–2025) .
🕰️ Timeline of Russian/Soviet Military Events
Year Event Outcome Type 1956 Hungarian Uprising Soviet control reasserted ✅ Success 1968 Invasion of Czechoslovakia Prague Spring crushed ✅ Success 1979–1989 Soviet-Afghan War Prolonged quagmire, USSR withdrew ❌ Failure 1994–1996 First Chechen War Russian defeat, Chechnya de facto independent ❌ Failure 1999–2009 Second Chechen War Russian victory, Chechnya reintegrated ✅ Success 2008 Russia–Georgia War Quick victory, occupied South Ossetia & Abkhazia ✅ Success 2014 Annexation of Crimea Strategic win, minimal resistance ✅ Success 2015–Present Syrian Civil War Intervention Assad preserved, regional influence expanded ✅ Success 2022–Present Invasion of Ukraine Heavy losses, strategic setbacks ❌ Failure
🕰️ Timeline of Israeli Military Events
Year Event Outcome Type 1956 Suez Crisis Military win, political reversal ✅/❌ Mixed 1967 Six-Day War Massive territorial and military victory ✅ Success 1973 Yom Kippur War Surprise attack, costly recovery ❌→✅ Mixed 1976 Entebbe Raid Hostage rescue, global praise ✅ Success 1982 Invasion of Lebanon Evicted PLO, long occupation began ✅→❌ Mixed 1982–2000 South Lebanon Occupation Attrition, costly occupation ❌ Failure 2006 Second Lebanon War Poorly executed vs Hezbollah ❌ Failure 2008–2023 Gaza Conflicts Tactical wins, no long-term resolution ❌ Ongoing 2011–Present Iron Dome & precision strikes Technological/military advantage ✅ Success 2023 Hamas October 7 Attack Intelligence failure, mass casualties ❌ Failure
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