Russia can’t conduct maneuver warfare – and this is costing it a lot

Stavros Atlamazoglou

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For almost one year, the Russian military has been maintaining a large-scale offensive in eastern Ukraine.

At the cost of over 100,000 dead and thousands of heavy weapon systems destroyed, the Russian military has failed to achieve the operational breakthrough that the Kremlin desires so much.

The Ukrainian military has fought cleverly within its means, conceding territory only when it must and living to fight another day.

“The Russian offensive effort in eastern Ukraine that began in fall 2023 continues to produce gradual Russian tactical gains in specific sectors of the front, but operationally significant gains will likely continue to elude Russian forces,” the Institute for the Study of War assessed in its October 3 operational update on the war in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military, understanding its shortcomings in manpower and munition availability, especially in artillery rounds, is pursuing an in-depth defense strategy. This strategy stipulates conceding territory to the Russian military very slowly and only after inflicting heavy losses on the attacker.