10. Intelligence Failures
Invading forces have consistently underestimated Russia’s resilience and strength due to significant intelligence failures. Napoleon’s 1812 invasion was marked by miscalculations regarding Russian troop numbers and the effectiveness of scorched earth tactics, leading to logistical challenges and eventual retreat. Similarly, during Operation Barbarossa in 1941, German intelligence underestimated Soviet troop mobilization and industrial capacity, resulting in overstretched supply lines and a protracted conflict (iwm.org.uk).
