Russian army changes its offensive tactics. ISW reveals details

The russian occupation forces have probably again begun to actively use armored vehicles during assaults on the front after a long period when the equipment played a mainly fire support role.

This is stated in the daily report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), published on April 15.

American analysts note that in recent months the russian federation has preferred an infantry offensive, using armored vehicles only to transport personnel and support from the rear. However, now the trend has changed - mechanized assaults are recorded on various sections of the front line.

The latest examples of the activation of "armor"

The ISW report cites the words of the spokesman for the Luhansk group of troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant Colonel Dmytro Zaporozhets, who reported that on April 12, the Defense Forces repelled an intensified mechanized assault of the enemy by a company near Stupochky and Klishchiivka - south and southeast of Chasiv Yar. According to him, the enemy used 13 units of armored vehicles, several civilian cars and motorcycles for the attack.

Also on April 14, the Ukrainian brigade on the Novopavlivka axis published footage of a large-scale assault involving more than 20 units of armored vehicles, including more than 10 infantry fighting vehicles and several tanks. The Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the enemy tried to break through the defenses, using motorcycles in the vanguard to quickly approach Ukrainian positions.

Another Ukrainian unit reported repelling an attack near Vilne Pole, northwest of Velyka Novosilka. During the battle, two tanks and 12 infantry fighting vehicles of the invaders were destroyed.

In addition, on April 14, the National Guard distributed a video from an unidentified area of ​​the Zaporizhzhia axis, where the russians were storming with three tanks, 18 infantry fighting vehicles, MT-LB armored personnel carriers and 41 motorcycles. According to the National Guard, the attack was stopped, several infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed.

Assessment of changes in tactics

According to ISW, the more active use of armored vehicles began after the russian federation significantly reduced its use at the end of 2024 - due to heavy losses and fears of losing the remnants of Soviet reserves. Instead, the aggressor switched to the practice of attacks by small infantry groups, using armored vehicles mainly as transport.

"Russian forces continue to advance in small groups of infantry along the front line, but may once again use armored vehicles for assault operations on the front line as part of a general intensification along the entire front line," the ISW notes.

Experts explain the return of armored vehicles to active combat by several reasons. Among them are the gradual depletion of alternative vehicles, such as motorcycles and ATVs, as well as the likely willingness of the russian command to accept additional losses of equipment for the sake of tactical successes.

"The recent intensification of Russian armored vehicles suggests that the Russian military command may be less concerned about reducing armored vehicle stocks or, at least, may agree to additional losses of armored vehicles if Russian forces can gain additional advantages before a possible future ceasefire," the report says.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on the night of April 10, the DeepState analytical project reported on the advance of the army of the aggressor country, the russian federation, near several settlements in the Donetsk Region.

Meanwhile, the russian army occupied Oleksandropil in the Donetsk Region and advanced to the border with the Dnipropetrovsk Region.