A Ukrainian commander recently disclosed that the Russian military has implemented new strategies in the ongoing conflict in the Kursk region. This announcement came on a Saturday, more than five months since Kyiv’s forces initiated an incursion into Russian-controlled territories.
Yehor Nozdryakov, who leads the Air Assault Battalion of the 80th Halychyna Brigade, revealed that Moscow has begun deploying large numbers of troops to conduct assaults against Ukrainian positions. He noted that this strategy has proven effective due to Russia’s numerical superiority.
Nozdryakov described the tactics used by Russian forces, stating, “They come in waves, much like in World War II, with groups of 20-30 soldiers.” He added that this method has forced Ukrainian artillery fire and FPV drone strikes to engage more frequently in certain areas.
In his remarks, the commander indicated that the Russian military has intensified its operations targeting Ukrainian brigade positions, with the aim of displacing them from Russian territory by the end of January.
### ‘Meat Assaults’
The strategy of deploying mass personnel in ground assaults is not new for the Russian military. A Ukrainian artillery commander noted in January 2024 that Moscow’s forces had executed large-scale infantry attacks characterized by waves of troops advancing with minimal cover.
These offensives have been labeled as “meat assaults” by the Ukrainian military, as the tactic reportedly resulted in significant casualties for Russia, with losses of up to 70 soldiers per attack.
In June 2024, a Russian soldier admitted during heavy fighting in Kharkiv that Ukrainian forces had nearly obliterated his entire unit. He recounted the experience, stating, “They just chop us up! We are sent under machine guns, under drones in daylight, like meat. And commanders just shout ‘forward and forward.’”