The occupiers staged a tactical surprise near Avdiivka, – ISW

The occupiers staged a tactical surprise near Avdiivka, – ISW

The Russian occupiers have improved their tactical capabilities in recent weeks. In particular, the enemy used tactical surprise in the Avdiivka area of the Donetsk region.

According to a report from the Institute for the Study of War, this suggests that elements of the Russian army may have internalized tactical adaptations gained during the offensive in Ukraine.

Analysts cite a statement by Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets. Thus, on 8 March, the Russians were able to tactically regroup and shift the focus of their offensive operations from the northern part of the Avdiivka Coke Plant in the northwest of the city to the north-east. Mashovets emphasises that the enemy was able to regroup and tactically shift without the Ukrainian Armed Forces fully realising the situation.

"The ability of Russian forces to achieve elements of tactical surprise in such an operating environment with little to no camouflage is noteworthy. ISW has not observed any other recent notable incidents where Russian forces achieved or exploited tactical surprise," ISW experts explain their surprise.

According to Institute analysts, this, however, does not necessarily indicate greater opportunities for Russians. Although the enemy has shown limited adaptation at the tactical level in some sectors of the front, large-scale tactical failures across Ukraine indicate that the Russian military command has not internalized and disseminated all possible tactical adaptations throughout its army.