Russian forces employ 'bait' tactics for assaults, Putin plans major covert mobilization amid heavy losses. Serhiy Zgurets’ column

Russia is preparing covert mobilization under the guise of reservists' training

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed a decree for reservist training, a move that marks the first winter drill in 20 years. These drills are likely a cover for covert mobilization. Legally, the drills should be about skill improvement without involving combat, but there's a high chance the reservists, like conscripts, will be contracted to serve, addressing urgent needs in the Russian occupying army.

Russia has concentrated over 600,000 personnel in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Russia initially planned to increase its troops there to 800,000 by the end of 2024, but this plan failed due to significant battlefield losses. Since the third quarter of last year, Russia has been able to recruit only 600 soldiers a day, down from 1,000 at the beginning of the year. As a result, the enemy cannot form large reserves and is throwing all available resources directly onto the front lines. In this situation, the war of attrition that Russia is attempting to wage is wearing them down, but Russia is still determined to advance deeper into Ukrainian territory.

Russian troops conduct constant infantry assaults in the Lyman direction

The head of communications for the 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade, Maksym Bilousov, stated that the situation in the Lyman direction is quite difficult. The Russian forces are trying to maintain the pace of offensive actions from all possible directions. According to Bilousov, there is currently a pause in the Russian mechanized assaults, but infantry attacks are ongoing. Sometimes the Russians use a "live bait" tactic, sending an unarmored infantryman to assault, followed by a well-trained Russian soldier. Once the first infantryman is neutralized by Ukrainian forces, a counterattack is launched targeting Ukrainian fire positions.

Maksym Bilousov mentioned that the Russians are constantly losing a large amount of equipment. As soon as their mechanized assaults enter Ukrainian units' zones of responsibility, all available resources are immediately used against them, including anti-tank missile systems, heavy strike drones, aerial reconnaissance, and artillery. The Russians are unable to move their equipment freely, which is why they mostly resort to foot assaults. However, Bilousov believes that if the occupiers are instructed to speed up their advance, they will likely use more equipment.

Maksym Bilousov also reported that Russian prisoners of war frequently mention the existence of certain castes within the occupying army. They are divided into mobilized soldiers and former prisoners, and they do not have friendly relations with each other. The prisoners also talk about the main motivation for joining the Russian army - money. When asked whether they came to kill Ukrainians, they always claim they didn't know about it. Essentially, all accounts from Russian prisoners of war come down to the same point.

Disguising positions is the most important way to counter Russian artillery

Maksym Bilousov detailed methods for countering Russian artillery. The key method remains camouflage, as it's crucial to effectively hide Ukrainian positions, making it harder for the Russians to locate Ukrainian fortifications. Bilousov also highlighted the effectiveness of electronic warfare (EW) systems, which make it more difficult for the enemy to conduct aerial reconnaissance and locate Ukrainian positions. Regarding Russian KABs (guided bombs), Bilousov noted that the Russian military still uses them, but not as frequently as in previous months. He added that counter-battery combat by the Ukrainian Armed Forces is also in good shape. Therefore, in countering Russian artillery fire, camouflaging positions remains essential.

The brigade's units are also actively mining the approaches to their positions. Maksym Bilousov emphasized that the brigade's sapper teams are engaged in remote mining and actively mine the territory. Occasionally, the Russians also mines areas, only to later detonate their own mines. Drones play a significant role in the remote mining efforts.

Bilousov also shared the situation in the village of Terny. According to him, the village is almost completely destroyed, with only cellars remaining. There are no intact buildings left.