THE FOCUS #119 | Hitting Russia Harder—But What Does Victory Look Like? | LTGEN U.S. Army (Ret.) Ben Hodges

Russia can suffer damage and still keep fighting. What would it take to change that—and what happens to Europe’s security if Western support falls short?

In Episode 119 of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben Hodges, former Commanding General of US Army Europe, about Ukraine’s military options, Russia’s vulnerabilities and the choices confronting its Western supporters.

At the heart of the conversation is a critical question: how does damage become defeat?

We explore whether strikes against Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure can translate into sustained military pressure, why energy and fuel matter to battlefield readiness, and what NATO needs to understand about the wider confrontation with Moscow. Hodges also offers a frank assessment of the Trump administration’s approach to Russia and Ukraine.

For viewers trying to make sense of competing claims about the war, this discussion examines what to look for beyond individual strikes and daily battlefield updates: whether Ukraine’s actions are weakening Russia’s ability to sustain its campaign—and whether Western policy supports that objective.

Watch Episode 119, “Hitting Russia Harder”.

The Focus — a SAGE International podcast.