In the context of the ongoing conflict, Kyiv's strategy has shifted from conventional military confrontation to asymmetric actions. Acting Minister of Defense of Ukraine Yevhen Yermak, in an exclusive interview with American blogger Laura Loomer, revealed the logic behind long-range strikes on Russian territory.
According to Yermak, Ukraine cannot afford to respond "strike for strike" in the literal sense, given the numerical and resource superiority of the adversary. Instead, the focus is on the economic efficiency of operations: inflicting damage on the enemy that far exceeds the cost of carrying out the attacks themselves.
The Economics of War: The 2 to 100 Formula
The key principle voiced by the acting minister is the strict calculation of the profitability of military operations. The goal of Ukrainian operations is to achieve a ratio where the cost of a strike is about 2% of the damage inflicted on the enemy. This means that for every dollar invested, Ukraine aims to inflict $50 in losses on the enemy.
As an example of such efficiency, Yermak cited strikes on Russia's oil infrastructure. Attacks on fuel terminals and refineries not only undermine the army's logistics but also hit the economy of the aggressor state, depriving it of export revenues.
Special attention was paid to innovative campaigns using unmanned aerial vehicles. Yermak recalled the "Spider" operation — a massive drone attack on Russian strategic bombers. This operation, conducted by the unit he previously commanded, demonstrated Ukraine's ability to strike the most protected and expensive enemy assets with minimal expenditure.
Personal Experience and Command Principles
In addition to strategic issues, Yermak touched upon the topic of managing military resources. Among his current top priorities are protecting logistics chains from Russian drones, equipping units with modern gear, and timely delivery of resources to the front line.
"I have a real picture in my head of what is being used, what can be used against the enemy, and what could be most effective in the long term," the minister noted.
Special emphasis in the interview was placed on the principles of interaction with the personnel. Yermak, who has experience serving in the SBU's "Alpha" special forces, adheres to the rule: "do not send anyone somewhere you are not ready to go yourself." This principle has become the foundation of trust between the command and the rank-and-file soldiers.
"We play by the same rules. I trust them, and they trust me," he emphasized. According to Yermak, servicemen know that he will never ask them to take a risk that he himself would not take. For him, the Ministry of Defense is not just an administrative body, but the next combat mission, the goal of which is to protect the country, support the fighters, and take care of their families.
Interview Context
The interview was conducted with Laura Loomer — a right-wing activist and blogger known for her views and closeness to the circle of former US President Donald Trump. During the conversation, Loomer admitted that for a long time she did not know the whole truth about the Russo-Ukrainian war, which highlights the importance of open dialogue for forming an objective picture of the conflict in the Western media space.
