How Ukraine is 'MacGyvering' its way to winning the war

Ukrainian troops are following the example of 'MacGyver', one of the biggest hits of 1980s TV about a special agent defeating his enemies with his wits, resourcefulness, and seemingly infinite skills to create makeshift gadgets.

The New York Times even dedicated a feature story on Ukraine's 'MacGyvered weapons', getting the most out of light arsenal and lots of creativity.

Ben Hodges, a former top US Army commander in Europe, pointed out the parallels between the 1980s show and how Ukrainian troops are using their inventory: “People are using the MacGyver metaphor.”

Ukraine lacks the arsenal of the Russian army, having less powerful weapons with shorter ranges. However, these are also lighter and easier to mobilize, giving Ukrainians an edge.

As simple as mounting missiles and rocket systems on trucks and speedboats, Ukrainians have managed to do a surprising amount to invading Russian troops. They attack, quickly retreat and block the enemy's advance.

This strategy has resulted in some relevant victories for Ukraine. For instance, they managed to take Snake Island (pictured) back after the Russians were overwhelmed by the constant sneak attacks coming from speedboats.

These Blitzkrieg tactics are also considered an important factor as to why Russian troops have been unable to take Odesa, despite the robust sea power of Putin's navy.

Probably the greatest military achievement of the 'MacGyver method' in the Ukrainian war so far has been the sinking of the Moskva, the flagship of the Russian Navy in the Black Sea.

Image: By Mil.ru, wikimedia commons

“With the Moskva, they MacGyvered a very effective anti-ship system that they put on the back of a truck to make it mobile and move it around,” Hodges explained in an interview that was cited by The New York Times.

Drones have also been fundamental for Ukrainians to contain the mighty Russian military force.

The US military has been surprised by how Russian anti-aircraft units have been unable to stop drone attacks. They suspect Ukrainians have somehow jury-rigged their drones to avoid detection.

So far, Ukraine's unconventional methods have given positive results against Russia's more traditional tactics. These even include attacks to the rear of the invading troops.

The BBC has reported on a 'shadow army', made up of agents, informers, and partisans, helping Ukraine from behind enemy lines.

The obstacles Russia has found to sustaining its advances, plus the hardships to take over Odesa, have forced Putin to change the commanding officer of the Black Sea Fleet in late August.

Nonetheless, despite Zelensky's claims that Ukraine has managed to regain territory and push back invading troops, it's pretty clear that Russia has a large and powerful military, capable to continue fighting for many months to come.

It's hard to say how far Ukraine's military creativity will help them in the long run. Every day the war goes on, lives continue to be lost.

What is true is that MacGyver, that 1980s TV hero capable of defusing a missile with a bent paperclip, is an example of the Ukrainian resistance. Sometimes you just need whatever you have at hand and lots of imagination to get out of a sticky situation.