Status: 16.01.2024, 15:00 PM
By: Patrick Mayer
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According to US military analysts, Russian forces want to use a new tactic in the Ukraine war. However, this already went wrong in Afghanistan.
Kyiv – These are difficult weeks for Ukraine in defending itself against Russia's attack in violation of international law. The military pressure on their own troops remains immense. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) now also reports on an allegedly new, old Russian tactic that the invading army of Kremlin autocrat Vladimir Putin could soon (again) focus on.
Ukraine war: ISW believes in new, old tactics of the Russian army
According to the report, an unspecified Russian source pointed out that air assault brigades within ground forces would be able to attempt landings behind the front lines. Presumably by landing with helicopters to drop units in rapid strikes in the rear of the Ukrainian defenders.
Apparently, the tactics of the Russian army are not completely unknown. This is what the Russians had already done during the fighting for Hostomel airport near Kyiv at the beginning of the Ukraine war. In vain, as we know today.
A Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter of the Russian Armed Forces. (Symbolic photo) © IMAGO / Pond5 Images
The battle for Kyiv-Hostomel Airport was an ultimately failed airborne operation by the Russian Armed Forces, which was repulsed by the Ukrainian army and parts of the territorial defense on February 24 and 25, 2022, respectively. Landed Russian commandos had captured key positions in the early hours of February 24, but were pushed back in the evening after hours of fighting.
Ukraine war: Russian airborne operation at Kyiv-Hostomel airport did not work out
In the first wave of attacks, up to 35 Mi-8, Mi-24 and Ka-52 helicopters of the 31st Russian Guards Paratrooper Brigade were used. Several helicopters were shot down by the Ukrainian National Guard, according to videos on YouTube and photos on social networks. At first, when Russian ground troops approached from the direction of Belarus, the Russians were finally able to secure the airport. However, on April 1, 2022, they had to evacuate the strategically important airfield northwest of the Ukrainian capital.
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During the heavy fighting, among other things, an Antonov An-225, which was considered the largest transport aircraft in the world, was destroyed in its hangar. The Russian Armed Forces allegedly wanted to prepare the capture of Kyiv from Hostomel, which, as is well known, they did not succeed. Contrary to the assumptions in Moscow.
Ukraine war: Russian forces are reportedly training air assault brigades again
As the U.S. think tank ISW also writes in a recent assessment of the situation, the Russians would "possibly train air assault brigades within combined ground formations as part of the ongoing, large-scale military reforms." This was suggested by corresponding statements by unnamed Russian military bloggers.
These air assault brigades will later "act as special forces that carry out landings and reconnaissance behind the Ukrainian lines." The information cannot be independently verified. According to the Ukrainian online portal Ukrinform, Moscow had its armed forces fly behind enemy lines with helicopters during the Soviet war in Afghanistan (1979 to 1989). Even then, the tactic did not work. The Kremlin's troops had to retreat behind the borders of the Soviet Union after heavy losses in the fight against the Mujahideen - estimates put around 26,000 soldiers killed. (pm)