**Russian Forces Changing Tactics in Ukraine**
The war in Ukraine is taking a new turn. Russian forces are now using small groups of soldiers on motorcycles and civilian vehicles to try and capture villages along the Donbas front.
This is different from what happened earlier, when large-scale attacks were launched with many soldiers charging across open fields. Now, smaller groups are sent out, often led by heavy armored vehicles, followed by motorcycles and modified civilian cars.
**New Tactics**
According to Sergeant Ivan Klebaniuk, these small groups attack from multiple directions in succession. While some are eliminated, the sheer number of attempts means that some eventually break through to reach Ukrainian positions.
The change in tactics is partly due to the use of drones on the battlefield. Modern surveillance and attack drones make it difficult for large groups of soldiers to move without being detected and targeted.
**Advantages of Small Groups**
Russian forces are using civilian vehicles because they are harder targets due to their speed and small size. Winter weather also helps Russian advances, with morning fog and frozen ground making movement easier.
Ukrainian reconnaissance drones have trouble monitoring enemy movements during rain or snow, which gives the Russians an advantage.
**Examples of New Tactics**
One example is Velyka Novosilka, a major Ukrainian Armed Forces fortified area that protects the flank of the Zaporizhzhia frontline section. Russian forces tried to break through with armored personnel carriers and infantry, but were detected and destroyed by FPV drones.
Another example is Kurakhove’s southern flank in Donetsk Oblast, where two Russian soldiers on a motorcycle managed to infiltrate Ukrainian trenches and shoot the defenders.
**Russian Command Prioritizes Forward Progress**
Despite record losses, Russian command prioritizes forward progress. If even one group out of ten reaches Ukrainian positions, it’s considered a victory worth reporting.
The human cost of this strategy has been staggering, with over 45,000 Russian casualties in November alone.
**Ukraine’s Challenge**
A critical question looms: how long can Ukraine’s outnumbered and undersupplied military hold back these relentless assaults?