In a hamlet near Avdiivka a Russian assault squad reaches its culminating point a bit early. A BTR enters the frame with infantrymen crammed beneath the cope cage like so many chickens in a rolling coop. They dismount, taking advantage of the meager cover afforded by the trees and fence near the road. Once on the ground, they cluster in two groups, not advancing or assuming any recognizable formation. The BTR departs quickly but makes little progress before FPV drones leave the vehicle a smoking ruin. A Ukrainian Bradley IFV appears on the Russian flank and delivers enfilade fire with its M242 Bushmaster and coaxial machine gun, ripping the squad to pieces.

The source for this video described the Russian squad as an “elite assault unit,” but unless being wiped out in a spectacular fashion qualifies as “elite,” I see nothing remarkable about this unit. If this was intended to be a clandestine seizure of an interim or enabling objective, a minor shaping operation perhaps, then this unit failed miserably. They clearly lacked surprise as their movements from the assault position were observed. If this was a deliberate assault of an objective, then the effort lacked mass and the benefit of supporting arms. No artillery preparation is visible, no mortars are on call, and there was clearly no effort to counter or mitigate Ukrainian strike drones. A video I posted recently of a Ukrainian assault showed the employment of EW/EA to create windows in enemy drone coverage in order to support an infantry assault, but there is no evidence of such an effort here. There is also no evidence of adjacent units or supporting armor establishing overwatch or a support by fire position.

Vehicles are generally better employed in pairs so that they can mutually support one another, and so the commitment of a single BTR seems lackluster at best. Furthermore, the BTR might have remained in the fight and provided some support for the infantry, but it probably would have been destroyed regardless without effective drone countermeasures. The infantry were rather vulnerable riding about atop the BTR tucked under the cope cage, and once they hit the ground they merely huddled in wet little clumps rather that taking some sort of tactically sound action. Dispersion, the assumption of identifiable formations, advancing on the objective in an aggressive manner might have helped. Then again, so would have some anti-tank assets. And EW assets. And fire support from mortars. Ans armor providing overwatch.

There was nothing elite about this attack. One vehicle and a handful of men stuck their necks out without sufficient resources and paid the price for their lack of preparation.

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs Triumph Sailing, a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through adventure and fellowship on the water. Triumph Sailing is preparing for the 2024 season of sailing on Galveston Bay and in the Gulf of Mexico. You can support the mission and next year's sailing season at Tri-Sail.Org.