Why Russia Suddenly Stopped Using Tanks

Summary

The video analyzes Russia's recent offensive in Ukraine, highlighting high Russian casualties and equipment losses, stagnant territorial gains, and evolving tactics including drone warfare and limited mechanized assaults. Despite overwhelming manpower, Russian forces struggle against fortified Ukrainian positions, while Ukraine faces its own manpower shortages. Special operations and adaptive defensive strategies have slowed Russian advances, keeping the front line largely unchanged. The video also examines international dynamics, including US military aid, potential economic sanctions, and the involvement of allies like North Korea. Overall, it explores why Moscow persists despite heavy losses and what this means for the war’s future trajectory.

Takeaways

• 🔥 Russia launched a major offensive along three axes (Poke Roast, Costan, Sunumi/Harkefe) aiming for an operational breakthrough but achieved minimal territorial gains.
• ⚔️ Russian tactics have resulted in massive losses: 1,400 tanks, 3,000 infantry fighting vehicles, and 13,000 artillery pieces in 2024 alone.
• 🛡️ Ukrainian defenses rely on fortified urban centers, air assaults, and special forces operations to slow Russian advances and protect key territories.
• 🚀 Shahed-style drones have shifted from targeting cities to frontline troops, with upgraded 90 kg warheads and potential for 2,000 launches per night by November.
• 👥 Russia deploys around 600,000 troops in Ukraine, with 119,000 confirmed KIA, and continues recruiting 30,000 soldiers per month; North Korean troops may add 30,000 more.
• 🪖 Ukraine faces manpower shortages, needing an additional 80,000–100,000 personnel to maintain defensive lines despite having adequate equipment.
• 📉 Russian armored capabilities are severely limited due to depleted stockpiles, underutilized repair depots, and reliance on older, less functional tanks.
• 🏗️ Ukraine's fortification strategies have evolved to counter drones and infantry threats, using overhead cover, interlocked grids, and metal coils to slow enemy advances.
• 💰 Western military aid (M2 Bradley IFVs, Patriot batteries) strengthens Ukraine’s defensive posture but is unlikely to drastically change the overall course of the war.
• 🌍 Economic pressure, such as potential 100% US secondary tariffs on Russian oil buyers, may have a larger long-term impact on the war than immediate battlefield actions.
• 📊 Despite Russia’s high spending ($145 billion/year) compared to Ukraine ($65 billion/year plus foreign aid), operational gains have been minimal, indicating inefficiency in strategy.
• ⏱️ Russian offensives may serve more as shaping operations to probe weaknesses and stretch Ukrainian reserves rather than achieve immediate major breakthroughs.

Q & A

What were the main objectives of the recent Russian offensive in Ukraine?

The main objectives were to capture key towns along Ukraine's defensive fortress belt, disrupt logistics in the east, and achieve a major operational breakthrough to open the way for further territorial gains.

Why has Russia struggled to achieve significant territorial gains despite its offensive?

Russia has faced inefficient tactics, severe equipment losses, a depleted armored stockpile, and reliance on infantry-heavy assaults, leading to slow advances averaging only 50 meters per day in some areas.

How has Ukraine adapted its defensive strategies against Russian advances?

Ukraine has fortified urban centers with triple-layer defenses, updated fortifications to counter small-unit infiltration and drones, deployed elite special forces for raids, and used mobile anti-drone units with thermal optics.

What role have drones, particularly Shahed drones, played in the conflict?

Shahed drones have been used by Russia for both frontline attacks and targeting rear positions, with upgraded warheads and long-range capability. Ukraine has responded with mobile anti-drone units and thousands of drone interceptors.

What are the challenges facing Ukrainian forces despite having adequate equipment?

Ukraine faces a manpower shortage, needing an estimated 80,000–100,000 additional soldiers to fill defensive gaps, while sustaining heavy casualties among both domestic and foreign troops.

How has Russia's equipment shortage affected its operational capabilities?

Russia's mechanized operations are limited due to depleted Soviet-era stockpiles, low repair depot usage, and reliance on old tanks and improvised transport like horses, ATVs, and motorcycles, leading to slower, less effective offensives.

What innovative tactics did Ukraine use during river-crossing engagements near Kian?

Ukrainian forces conducted low-altitude helicopter air assaults behind Russian lines, conducted raids, gathered intelligence, and directed artillery fire to safely extract troops, exploiting Russian vulnerability across river crossings.

What external factors are influencing the conflict's trajectory?

External factors include North Korean troop involvement, U.S. military aid like M2 Bradleys and Patriot batteries, and potential economic sanctions, such as 100% secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil.

How has the frontline changed over the past three years?

The frontline has remained largely stagnant, with minimal territorial changes, although Ukraine has regained about half of its previously lost territory, while Russia continues to suffer heavy losses without strategic breakthroughs.

What might be Russia’s strategic goal in maintaining a high-casualty offensive?

Russia may be attempting to probe for weak spots, stretch Ukrainian reserves thin, or conserve forces for a future large-scale push, hoping that drone strikes and manpower supplementation will eventually create a breakthrough.

How could potential economic sanctions impact the conflict?

If the U.S. imposes 100% secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, it could disrupt Russia's economic resources, potentially forcing changes in military strategy and putting pressure on the continuation of the war.

Why are traditional fortifications becoming less effective in Ukraine?

Traditional anti-tank defenses and pillboxes are less effective due to small infantry infiltration tactics and the widespread use of drones, requiring overhead cover, interlocked grids, and specialized obstacles to block drones and light vehicles.