The Russian military has shifted its approach in the ongoing offensive against Lyman in the Donetsk region, moving away from large mechanized assaults after facing setbacks. Instead of employing substantial mechanized units, Russian troops are now operating in smaller infantry groups, occasionally utilizing all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles for rapid maneuvers.
According to a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Third Army Corps, these infiltration attempts by Russian soldiers are being swiftly detected and neutralized. “The offensive actions we have seen recently, compared to those in 2022, involve maneuver-based, mechanized blitzkrieg tactics that are costly for them, as equipment recovery is expensive,” explained Alexander Borodin.
He noted that the Russians have adopted a strategy aimed at undermining the rotation capabilities of Ukrainian forces through these small-scale assaults. “They do not count their personnel losses, making this approach economically advantageous for them,” added the spokesperson.
Active combat continues in the Lyman area, with Russian forces attempting daily to breach Ukrainian defenses to advance toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. On March 19, the Third Army Corps reported that Russian troops conducted a mechanized and motorized assault involving approximately a battalion, marking the most significant breakthrough attempt in this sector since hostilities began.
Despite this, Ukrainian units successfully repelled the attack over a four-hour engagement. In a morning report, the General Staff noted that Russian forces launched six assaults in the Lyman direction, trying to penetrate Ukrainian defenses. These attacks were directed towards the settlements of Drobysheve, Lyman, and the areas of Serednie and Nadiya.
The Russian military has altered its tactics in the Lyman region, opting for smaller infantry groups instead of large mechanized assaults. Ukrainian forces continue to effectively counter these infiltration attempts, maintaining their defensive positions despite ongoing attacks.