Russian forces make gains in Donetsk with new tactics

"In August and September, the Russian Armed Forces made significant advancements in the Donetsk region, showing the fastest progress since 2022. Their attack techniques have improved," writes "The Washington Post". Journalists cite information received from Ukrainian military officials.

Ukrainian military officials admitted in an interview with the newspaper that "the Russian army is advancing with a speed and aggressiveness unseen since the full-scale invasion". This is attributed to a new Russian tactic.

A few months ago, Putin's soldiers were storming some fortifications on the front in groups of 10 to 20 soldiers, while now it is just four. This is to minimize the detection of soldiers.

"Kyiv used this tactic during the counteroffensive last fall. The difference is that the Russian troops outnumber the Ukrainian Armed Forces in terms of artillery, drones, and soldiers," the article states.

According to an officer of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which defended the city of Vuhledar for over two years, the number of artillery salvos in this area was sometimes 10 to 1 in favour of Russia.

To recap, on Wednesday afternoon, the Ukrainian operational-strategic group Chortyca confirmed that the troops from Vuhledar were withdrawn "to save the lives of soldiers, preserve military equipment, and take positions for further combat".

According to the analyst of the "Black Bird" group, Pasi Paironen, in August and September, the Russian Armed Forces captured 510 square kilometres. These are primarily areas from Bakhmut to Vuhledar, coinciding with the "Kursk operation" of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

- The Kursk offensive has not yet paid off - said Rob Lee from the American Foreign Policy Research Institute. - The involvement of experienced units in the Kursk offensive caused the Ukrainian Armed Forces to potentially lose more territory in the Donetsk region - he added.