Atlantic Council: New Ukrainian tactics halt Russian offensive on Lyman axis

Halting the Russian offensive in Donbas

The Kremlin's plans to fully capture Donbas have suffered a serious setback due to the innovative offensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As noted by the analytical outlet Atlantic Council, the successes of Ukrainian troops have effectively nullified the territorial gains accumulated by the Russian army over more than a year of active combat operations.

According to experts, this result demonstrates the high level of skill of Ukrainian servicemen and their capacity for tactical innovation, particularly in the use of unmanned systems. Currently, some of the fiercest battles since the start of the full-scale invasion are ongoing on the Lyman axis. Vladimir Putin is attempting to achieve his minimum military objective — full control over Donbas — but the actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are effectively undermining these intentions.

The role of electronic warfare and the element of surprise

The key factor in the success was the element of surprise. Ukrainian units created a powerful "shield" using electronic warfare (EW) assets. This not only hindered Russian reconnaissance drones from penetrating critical areas of the front line but also concealed the movement of their own forces.

«У ситуації, коли можливості РФ у сфері розвідки на полі бою були суттєво обмежені, Україна змогла залучити великі дрони-бомбардувальники для доставки безпілотних наземних апаратів (БНА) у тил противника. Ці роботизовані системи, що працюють на дистанційному керуванні та озброєні важкими кулеметами або начинені вибуховими речовинами, спричиняли хаос у глибокому російському тилу та створювали передумови для просування піхоти. Російські війська опинилися в стані шоку: в одному з перехоплених розмов офіцер виражав крайнє здивування тим, що українським роботам вдалося проникнути настільки глибоко в тил» (In a situation where Russia's reconnaissance capabilities on the battlefield were significantly limited, Ukraine was able to deploy large bomber drones to deliver unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) into the enemy's rear. These robotic systems, which operate under remote control and are armed with heavy machine guns or packed with explosives, caused chaos in the deep Russian rear and created preconditions for infantry advance. Russian troops were in a state of shock: in one intercepted conversation, an officer expressed extreme surprise that Ukrainian robots had managed to penetrate so deeply into the rear), — emphasises Atlantic Council.

Use of strike drones and mine clearance

In addition, the Ukrainian Armed Forces actively used medium-range strike drones. Their task was to isolate individual Russian units and cut off the logistical routes that supplied the enemy's forward positions.

The publication adds that Ukrainian forces also used unmanned ground vehicles for mine clearance. They cleared paths and prepared beachheads for further advance, which, as analysts highlight, allowed them to save the lives of servicemen.

Prospects for scaling tactics

«Якщо досвід, отриманий на Лиманському напрямку, вдасться масштабувати та впровадити в усіх підрозділах української армії, це може стати для України моделлю відновлення маневрових дій на полях бою, де домінують дрони» (If the experience gained on the Lyman axis can be scaled and implemented in all units of the Ukrainian army, it could become a model for Ukraine to restore manoeuvre warfare on battlefields dominated by drones), — concludes Atlantic Council.

Other front-line news

Earlier, British intelligence reported that on 27 September, the Russian army suffered record daily losses since the start of the war. In total, this is only the fourth instance where daily Russian military losses exceeded 2,000 personnel.

On 28 September, it was reported that the Defence Forces had liberated three more settlements on the Lyman axis.