Russian Tactics in the Lyman Sector: ‘Tent’ Defensive Operations and the Active Use of Drones and Motorcycle Units
In eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Lyman sector, Russian forces are actively changing their tactics of conducting hostilities, employing complex and diverse methods to intensify pressure on Ukrainian defenders.
According to military sources, including veterans and commanders of Ukrainian units, there are attempts to implement a ‘tent tactics’ approach, alongside increased deployment of motorcycle groups for sabotage and provocation activities.
In this region, the occupiers aim to flank Ukrainian positions, advance into the rear, identify drone operators and mortar crews to destroy their equipment and complicate Ukrainian resistance.This has become possible thanks to wide use of unmanned aerial vehicles of various types, especially FPV-drones utilizing fiber optic communication systems, which are used for reconnaissance, target designation, and disrupting Ukrainian logistics chains.
Junior Sergeant Vasyl Denysiuk of the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade, named after Mstyslav Khorobryi, reports that Russian troops also conduct night attacks, using tents as camouflage, then throwing them over themselves and moving around.
These tactics are supported by drones, allowing Russians to monitor and control the situation from the air.
The goal of such operations is to create chaos, hinder Ukrainian logistics, and undermine infantry preparedness.According to military personnel, entire ‘tent towns’ have appeared near Russian positions, serving as bases for both night and day operations.
Furthermore, the use of motorcycle groups complicates the situation for Ukrainian defenders, although most such attacks are thwarted at the approach.
Meanwhile, the Russians carry out intensive shelling in areas where they can target Ukrainian positions, especially near Chornyi Zherebeets River.
Not having the capability to move large artillery forces across the river, they rely instead on concentrated shelling in reachable zones, aiming to destroy Ukrainian installations and eliminate drone operators.Overall, the situation on this front remains tense, with Ukrainian forces focusing on countering Russian maneuvering and defending their positions from continuous and varied attacks.