John Hardie

Atlanta

Russia Program Deputy Director at Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Deputy Director, Russia Program, @FDD. Writing on Russian military @LongWarJournal. Alum, @universityofga, @georgetownsfs. #GoDawgs

Articles

Ukraine executes drone operation in Russia as peace talks occur in Istanbul

4 days ago | fdd.org | Zachary Berman |John Hardie

June 2, 2025 | The John Batchelor Show Ukraine executes drone operation in Russia as peace talks occur in Istanbul
No Pain (for Putin), No Gain

2 weeks ago | fdd.org | Clifford D. May |John Hardie

President Trump’s May 19 phone call with Vladimir Putin does not appear to be two hours well-spent. According to readouts, the Russian ruler agreed to continue talking about talking. Around the same time, Putin launched a massive drone strike against Ukrainian soldiers defending their country and civilians attempting to survive the long war waged against them by an enemy seeking to destroy their freedom and identity.
Trump and Putin speak about Ukraine peace deal

2 weeks ago | fdd.org | Zachary Berman |John Hardie

VIDEO John joins Merit Street Media to analyze the phone call between Presidents Trump and Putin, and the chance of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal.
Russian Ground Forces get new commander as peace negotiations begin

2 weeks ago | fdd.org | Zachary Berman |John Hardie |Bill Roggio

May 19, 2025 | The John Batchelor Show Russian Ground Forces get new commander as peace negotiations begin
Russian Ground Forces get new commander

2 weeks ago | fdd.org | Reagan Easter |John Hardie

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree on May 15 relieving General Oleg Salyukov, the aging commander of the Russian Ground Forces. He has been replaced by a younger officer with extensive combat experience in Ukraine. This decision could help the Russian army as it develops and implements post-war reforms based on lessons learned in Ukraine. Salyukov had led the Ground Forces since 2014.
Russian Ground Forces get new commander

2 weeks ago | longwarjournal.org | John Hardie

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree on May 15 relieving General Oleg Salyukov, the aging commander of the Russian Ground Forces. He has been replaced by a younger officer with extensive combat experience in Ukraine. This decision could help the Russian army as it develops and implements post-war reforms based on lessons learned in Ukraine. Salyukov had led the Ground Forces since 2014.
On Istanbul talks and the need for Trump to increase pressure on Russia

3 weeks ago | fdd.org | Zachary Berman |John Hardie

May 15, 2025 | Asharq News {Arabic} On Istanbul talks and the need for Trump to increase pressure on Russia
Trump’s Russia Sanctions Toolkit

3 weeks ago | fdd.org | Daniel Ackerman |Max Meizlish |John Hardie

Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to attack the country while effectively demanding wholesale Ukrainian capitulation. President Trump has repeatedly threatened Moscow with economic punishment if it continues “tapping [him] along.” Yet in response, Moscow has only doubled down on its maximalist demands.
Waiting for Putin on Ukraine peace talks

3 weeks ago | fdd.org | Zachary Berman |John Hardie

May 12, 2025 | The John Batchelor Show Waiting for Putin on Ukraine peace talks
Ukraine’s reintroduction of corps gathers steam

4 weeks ago | fdd.org | Reagan Easter |John Hardie

The Ukrainian military has recently unveiled several new army corps. The development is part of an ongoing reform in which Kyiv plans to replace problematic temporary command bodies with a host of permanent corps built around its best brigades and commanders. Beginning in the 1990s, Ukraine gradually pared down the sizable military forces it inherited from the Soviet Union. Kyiv cut divisions down to brigades and eliminated army corps, with the last active-duty corps disbanded in 2015.