What's happened
Ukrainian forces report Russia's infiltration tactics are causing chaos, with small, covert units increasingly common in eastern Ukraine. These incursions, often guided by drones, are disrupting Ukrainian defenses and pushing deeper into territory amid ongoing heavy fighting. The situation highlights Russia's evolving strategy in the conflict.
What's behind the headline?
Russian infiltration tactics are becoming a central feature of the conflict in Ukraine, especially in the eastern regions. These small, covert units, often guided by drones and employing camouflage, are designed to exploit Ukraine's stretched surveillance capabilities. The use of minimal manpower—sometimes just a few soldiers—allows Russia to conduct surprise incursions that divert Ukrainian resources and create multiple points of pressure simultaneously. This strategy is likely to persist and intensify, given Russia's logistical struggles and manpower shortages. The deployment of motorcyclists and the use of terrain camouflage indicate a shift towards more guerrilla-style tactics, which will complicate Ukrainian defensive efforts. The increasing casualties and Russian mobilization efforts suggest that this infiltration approach will remain a key element of Russia's military strategy, potentially leading to deeper territorial advances and prolonged instability in the region.
What the papers say
The reporting from Business Insider UK highlights the tactical evolution of Russian infiltration units, emphasizing their small size, covert nature, and use of drones for guidance. Ukrainian soldiers describe these incursions as causing chaos and forcing Ukrainian forces to divert resources across multiple locations. The Independent provides context on the strategic importance of the Dnipro delta, noting the high Russian casualties and logistical difficulties faced by Russian forces on the islands, which are increasingly targeted by Ukrainian drones and sabotage. Both sources underscore the effectiveness of these tactics amid manpower shortages and logistical constraints, with Russian mobilization efforts and casualties rising sharply, as estimated by Ukrainian intelligence and The Economist. The articles collectively portray a conflict where Russia's infiltration tactics are becoming a dominant, disruptive force, complicating Ukrainian defenses and prolonging the war.
How we got here
Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has faced a variety of military tactics from Russian forces. Recently, Russia has intensified infiltration operations, deploying small units that exploit gaps in Ukrainian surveillance. The use of drones and covert movements has become more frequent, especially in the eastern Donetsk region and the Dnipro delta, amid manpower shortages and logistical challenges for Russian forces. Russia's recent mobilization efforts, including conscription of 135,000 troops ordered by President Vladimir Putin, aim to bolster these operations, which have resulted in significant casualties and strategic pressure on Ukrainian defenses.
Go deeper
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.