This Russian tactic has become a headache for the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Minefields and well-designed trench systems slowed the Ukrainian advance, writes The New York Times.

An even greater problem for the Ukrainian Armed Forces is the combat tactics chosen by the Russian army. It has long been known and has already shown its effectiveness during the Battle of Kursk.

The Russian military uses “elastic defense” tactics; they retreat to the second defensive line and take positions there, forcing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to attack. And then they strike, which leads to heavy losses in the ranks of the Ukrainian military.