Why Russia advances despite heavy losses: Expert names key factor
A military expert described the cynical tactic of so-called “meat assaults,” which allows Russian forces to find gaps in the defense.
Ukrainian Armed Forces on the frontline / © General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine / Facebook
Russia continues to advance slowly along the frontline despite heavy personnel losses, with progress based on a combination of these tactics and the massive use of firepower — artillery and aviation.
This was stated on Radio NV by military expert Pavlo Narozhnyi, founder of the charity Reactive Post.
The expert says frontline assessments often focus on enemy manpower losses while underestimating the scale of firepower used. Russian forces employ a “fire barrage” tactic, effectively wiping out Ukrainian defensive positions.
“Our frontline is made up of numerous observation posts, fortifications and trenches. Attention is often fixed on enemy losses, but the key factor — the scale of artillery shelling and air strikes — is overlooked. The enemy usually carries out about 4,000–5,000 artillery strikes a day,” Pavlo Narozhnyi said.
He adds that Ukraine’s General Staff also separately records frequent strikes from multiple launch rocket systems.
How gaps in defense emerge
Narozhnyi explained the structure of Ukrainian defense at the “zero line”. Typically, one observation post is manned by one to three soldiers. Their main task is to detect enemy forces and either repel attacks or call reinforcements. However, massive Russian strikes make these positions vulnerable.
“If this observation post is destroyed, say by an air strike, it means a gap appears in our frontline — a hole the enemy can use,” the expert explained.
Real aim of “meat assault” tactics
The military expert also described the cynical logic behind Russian infantry attacks often referred to as “meat assaults”. Groups of soldiers are sent forward not only to capture positions but mainly as bait.
“The goal is to make our infantry open fire so their defensive positions become visible,” Narozhnyi explained.
The enemy’s typical sequence is as follows:
Russian forces send infantry into attack;
Ukrainian defenders open fire, exposing their firing positions and fortifications;
Russian forces then strike the identified coordinates with massive artillery or air attacks, destroying the fortifications;
A new wave of Russian infantry moves into the destroyed positions and newly created gaps.
This exact combination of reconnaissance-in-force at the cost of their own soldiers’ lives and artillery superiority is what allows Russian forces to keep advancing.