Over the summer, Russian forces have altered their tactics on the front lines, utilizing smaller sabotage units to penetrate further into Ukrainian territory, according to Ukraine’s top military commander.
Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukraine, yet has only been able to seize an additional 1% of land in the past year, based on an analysis by AFP drawing on data from the Institute for the Study of War, which collaborates with the Critical Threats Project.
Despite the sluggish advancement, combat along the front has remained fierce, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi indicated that Russia has modified its approach to frontline engagements, now sending small squads of four to six soldiers whose objective is to breach Ukraine’s defenses.
“Since the start of summer, we’ve observed a shift in the enemy’s strategies,” Syrskyi shared with a group of journalists, including those from AFP, in comments released on Friday.
“Their primary goal is to infiltrate our territory as deeply as they can, then to retreat, regroup, and launch further advances — ultimately targeting deeper positions to disrupt our logistical efforts and troop movements,” he clarified.
He noted that this tactic enables Russian forces to advance with relatively few troops, although it prevents them from establishing complete territorial control over any region.
In August, Russian troops successfully breached Ukraine’s defenses near the eastern coal mining town of Dobropillia, but were subsequently repelled by Kyiv.
Syrskyi remarked that the overall conditions along the 1,250-kilometer (775-mile) front are challenging, with Russia making headway in critical areas.
On Friday, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the capture of Yunakivka, a village located in the northeastern Sumy region.
Syrskyi also mentioned that Ukraine is adjusting some of its air defense strategies in response to the rising number of Russian aerial assaults on its cities, which includes deploying more helicopters and light aircraft, as well as developing new drone interception technologies.
