ISW analyzes Zaluzhnyi’s long essay on modern positional warfare 

This is stated in the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report.

Zaluzhnyi's long essay, titled "Modern Positional Warfare and How to Win It," offers a clearer insight into his ideas for addressing the current stage of the war in Ukraine, compared to the shorter op-ed and the Economist article it accompanied.

“Positional warfare refers to military operations that do not result in rapid or dramatic changes to the frontline despite both sides‘ continuing efforts to improve their positions. Zaluzhnyi notably did not say that the war was stalemated in his essay or suggest that Ukraine could not succeed,” as per the report.

According to experts, the article primarily focuses on how the current positional aspect of the war is a result of a balance in technical and tactical capabilities on the battlefield and the widespread use of mine barriers by both Russian and Ukrainian forces.

Zaluzhnyi discussed Ukraine's capabilities in the face of challenges from Russia, which included substantial losses of Russian aircraft, Ukraine's use of Western missile and artillery weapons, and Russia's difficulties in mobilizing its resources due to political, organizational, and motivational issues.

Zaluzhnyi concluded that a positional war benefits Russia, as it allows them to prolong the conflict and gain advantages in specific areas.

He also pointed out that Ukraine or Russia could return to rapid maneuver warfare if circumstances allow, although Ukraine would require additional military support from the West. 

“Zaluzhnyi’s essay was all about how to restore maneuver to a positional war, not an argument that the war has reached a stalemate,” the article highlights. 

• In an article for the Economist published on November 1, General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi mentioned that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could enter a more dangerous phase and outlined priority directions for preventing this. 

• In response, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is not in a stalemate.