Russia reshapes forces for positional warfare in Ukraine, ISW says
Russia optimizes its forces for conducting a positional war in Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
Russia is optimizing its forces to wage a positional war against Ukraine. In particular, Russian forces are increasing supplies of light motorized equipment to their troops, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
As analysts noted, among the priorities in supplying Russian forces this year, the Russian military command has identified the delivery of light modernized equipment, "further demonstrating how the Russian military is optimizing itself for positional warfare."
Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets wrote on January 22 that the Russian army command plans to provide Russian assault units with more than 2,600 light motorized vehicles — buggies, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) — from the Russian General Staff's reserve.
Another approximately 4,200 such vehicles are expected to be supplied by the Russian defense-industrial base during the first quarter.
Mashovets stated that the Russian military command relies on "non-systemic purchases," such as volunteer assistance, donations, and budget contributions from individual regions, to achieve its overall goals.
Russian forces mainly use light motorized equipment to transport infantry closer to the front line.
"The Russian military command's focus on light vehicle production and provision further demonstrates ISW's ongoing assessment that Russian forces have optimized themselves for positional warfare in Ukraine and that Russian advances will likely remain constrained to a foot pace in the near to medium-term," the report says.
Situation on the front line
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, over the past day, January 22, there were 222 combat engagements along the front. The Pokrovsk direction remains the hottest point, where Ukrainian defenders repelled 94 attacks. Active fighting is also ongoing in the Huliaipole area of the Zaporizhzhia region.
In addition, Russian forces are attempting to advance in Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, taking advantage of the fact that local rivers have frozen and no longer hinder the movement of small infantry groups.
At the same time, according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian Defense Forces have achieved tactical successes in the Kupiansk and Pokrovsk directions.
