Russian forces have faced significant setbacks as Ukrainian mechanized units counterattacked in western Russia’s Kursk Oblast, making a three-mile advance despite heavy bombardment from drones and artillery. The Ukrainians’ success is attributed to the use of tactics similar to those employed by Russian forces during their own most successful assaults, with a key difference being the employment of special operations teams.
Ukrainian infantry have secured new positions around the village of Fanaseevka, three miles east of their original lines, following a probe-and-deploy strategy. This approach involves probing enemy lines for weaknesses before deploying fast-moving groups of armored vehicles to shuttle infantry into new positions past the original line of contact.
However, the Ukrainian advantage in drones and special operations teams may be offset by a lack of manpower, with Russian forces boasting a three-to-one or greater manpower advantage in many sectors. If Ukrainian firepower outlasts Russian manpower, the Russians may take control of weakened Ukrainian positions.
The use of special operations teams, including the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center, has allowed the Ukrainians to gather crucial intelligence on hostile forces and conduct reconnaissance missions more effectively than Russian conscripts. This approach may be less costly for Ukraine, given its struggles to mobilize enough troops.
Ultimately, the success of the Ukrainian counterattack depends on whether infantry can arrive in sufficient numbers to defend against Russian counterattacks.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/02/08/probe-for-weakness-and-then-attack-fast-the-tactics-behind-ukraines-new-kursk-operation