Russian troops leverage tactical surprise near Avdiivka - ISW

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

According to experts, this indicates that some elements of the Russian army may have learned the tactical adaptation gained during offensive operations in Ukraine.

Referring to the statement of Ukrainian military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets, analysts emphasize that on March 8, Russian troops managed to tactically regroup and shift the focus of their offensive operations from the northern part of the Avdiivka Coke Plant in the northwest of the city to areas near northeastern Avdiivka. 

According to a military observer, the Russian troops carried out this regrouping and tactical shift without Ukrainian troops fully realizing it.

It is noted that Russian troops advanced in the area due to a certain tactical surprise.

"The Russian force’s ability to achieve elements of tactical surprise in such an operating environment with little-to-no concealment is therefore noteworthy. ISW has not observed other recent notable incidents of Russian forces achieving or leveraging tactical surprise," the Institute's report says.

Experts add the fact that Russia was able to do this near Avdiivka does not necessarily indicate wider Russian capabilities.

According to ISW, the occupation forces have demonstrated limited tactical-level adaptations on certain sectors of the front, but continued widespread Russian tactical failures throughout Ukraine suggest that the Russian military command has not internalized and disseminated all possible tactical adaptations among all the various Russian force groupings operating in Ukraine.

• As of March 3, it was reported that the situation was stabilizing near the frontline settlements in the Avdiivka sector. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding back the Russian troops, but Russia is having localized successes.