Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region continue to defend themselves against shelling. The Russian media blogger claimed that Russian defense operations in southern Ukraine are based on three main components:

• quick detection and destruction of Ukrainian assault formations,
• mass use of anti-tank weapons
• mining of territories near Russian defensive positions.

Milblogger argued that the minefields have a dual effect, first damaging Ukrainian armored vehicles when they try to pass through the minefield, and then again when they leave the zone.

The Institute for the Study of War (IWS) previously assessed that Russian forces responded to the start of Ukraine’s counteroffensive operations in western Zaporizhia Oblast in accordance with established Russian doctrine, which provides that:

• the first line of troops to repel or slow down the advancing forces with the help of minefields, fortifications and strongholds,
• and a second line of troops for a counterattack in case of an enemy breakthrough.

How Ukraine wants to resist this

Russian reports of Ukrainian attacks in southern Ukraine in recent days indicate that Ukrainian forces are making limited breakthroughs and temporarily occupying new positions before Russian forces restore or dislodge Ukrainian forces from those positions.

This tactical pattern indicates that Russian forces likely continued doctrinal defensive operations in southern Ukraine, although as ISW previously reported, the 58th Army’s defensive units may be among the most effective Russian units currently deployed in Ukraine.

Russian electronic warfare

Russian bloggers continue to point to Russia’s alleged advantages in electronic warfare (EW) as the key to ending Ukrainian attacks.

Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian EW units disrupted Ukrainian communications, as well as aviation units, and claimed that some Ukrainian mechanized groups were not prepared to fight without communications or with suppressed GPS.

Another media blogger claimed that Ukrainian forces tried to use their own “electronic countermeasures” against Russian intelligence and surveillance in areas where Ukrainian attacks are taking place, but these attempts were unsuccessful. It seems that the Russian forces managed to improve the use of EW during the invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine prevails in night attacks

Russian sources claim that Ukrainian forces have a tactical advantage in conducting night assaults thanks to equipment provided by the West, which has better optical night vision systems.

Volodymyr Rogov, the occupation official of the Zaporizhia region, also claimed that night raids allow Ukrainian troops to more effectively use equipment provided by the West.

Ukrainian forces have begun or intensified night assaults in recent days, and Ukrainian forces can increasingly take advantage of the advantages offered by Western systems.