Dissecting Russia's New Combat Tactics

AP reported that Russia has built a solid defense system along the 1,000-kilometer front line, improving electronic weapons to stop Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In addition, Moscow has also converted heavy bombs from the huge Soviet-era arsenal into precision-guided flying bombs capable of attacking long-range targets without endangering bombers.

Russia's changing tactics, coupled with increased troop numbers and improved weapons, could make it difficult for Ukraine to win any decisive victory, and risk turning the conflict into a protracted battle of attrition.

Image released by Russia, said to show a series of destroyed Ukrainian tanks at an unknown location in Donetsk province

Move the armory

Retired General Richard Barrons, who once headed Britain’s Joint Forces Command, said the Russian military had built up its defenses and adjusted its tactics. He pointed to Russia’s improved ability to both counter and use UAVs, noting that Moscow had learned how to protect key assets such as command posts and ammunition depots from Ukrainian artillery fire.

Speaking about this, Mr. Barrons recalled that in the early stages of the conflict, Russian military convoys stretching for kilometers became easy prey for Ukrainian artillery and UAVs. In addition, the lack of protection of Russian warehouses caused the country to lose a lot of weapons and ammunition after Ukrainian shelling.

Russia has also deployed additional troops to protect the front line, although some of them are not well trained, Barrons said.

Russia's outdated tanks are still capable of causing damage in Ukraine

Use old weapons

Popular Mechanics cited a report by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) as saying that Russia is also using Russian tanks, especially old ones, as indirect fire artillery. Although this tactic is not very effective due to the low angle of fire, the old tanks have significantly supported and protected combat vehicles against air attacks or counter-attacks by Ukrainian artillery.

Russian tanks fight in Luhansk province in May 2022

Older, more user-friendly tanks are also often used in urban combat, where the perimeter is narrow. According to RUSI, these tanks are being used by Russia to destroy buildings and open up a path for infantry to enter with less risk.

Other improvements

Other Russian improvements include the ability to shield the tanks’ vulnerable radiators from Ukrainian fire, according to the Eurasian Times . Russia is also said to have increased the rate of artillery fire on many positions, as well as attacking Ukrainian artillery with patrol drones until they destroy their targets.

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Additionally, AP quoted Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov as noting that Moscow has increased its use of improved electronic warfare tactics to jam Ukrainian surveillance systems. These changes allow the Russian air force to intensify attacks on Ukrainian forces without endangering Moscow's fighter jets.

Russia has also modernized its offensive bomb arsenal, turning 500-kilogram, GPS-guided bombs into lethal weapons, Zhdanov said. In addition, Russia’s widespread deployment of sophisticated mines poses a major tactical challenge to Ukrainian tanks, infantry, and offensive operations.

According to RUSI, although the Russian military "can improve and develop the use of key systems", the country has difficulty responding to rapid changes, leading to a loss of combat coordination.

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