Bloody, difficult battles expected: US Secretary of Defense Austin explains the basics of warfare against the Russians

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In its offensive against the invading Russian forces, Ukraine has to break through numerous heavily fortified defense lines. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, 69, has just explained to journalists how the United States is supporting Ukraine – by providing equipment and training.

Under Russian fire, Kiev’s infantry, armored vehicles, artillery and engineers must work closely together to breach the trenches, anti-tank obstacles and other defenses – an effort that requires a high degree of skill and leaves no room for error.

Russia cannot be strong everywhere on a long front

The US and other countries had spent months preparing Ukraine for exactly these tasks. Tens of thousands of the country’s troops have been trained and equipped with the equipment they need to be successful on the front lines. According to Austin, Russian defenses stretch for hundreds of miles, giving Ukraine potential vulnerabilities to exploit. “If you’re defending yourself on such a long front, you can’t be strong everywhere,” said Austin.

“Not only did we deliver high quality platforms like the Bradley Fighting Vehicles, IFVs and Strykers and a few other things. We also trained them in some maneuvers,” Austin said in Singapore in early June. One of those things is breaking through complex obstacles put up by the Russians.” Austin speaks of an “obstacle belt”. He was “convinced that the mid and lower level troops know what needs to be done to successfully overcome this kind of obstacle”.

Austin calls this “the fundamentals of warfare.” He doesn’t know how well the recon went. The task of the Ukrainian armed forces is to find out where the enemy “is not strong, where opportunities lie, and to recognize and exploit these opportunities”. He was convinced that Ukraine “had the opportunity to do that. We shall see.”

find vulnerabilities

It is “very difficult to attack well-prepared defense systems,” the AFP news agency quoted retired US Colonel Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) as saying. Numerous elements are required for a successful attack. “It takes a lot of skill to put the different weapons together,” says Cancian.

First, artillery fire is used from hours to days to disrupt Russian defenses. Then suppressive fire would be necessary to prevent Moscow’s troops from responding effectively. Engineers would then clear minefields and breach barriers to allow other troops to advance, and infantry, along with armored troops, would seek out weak points. “The goal,” says Cancian, “is to break through the defenses so that the armored units can pass and maneuver freely.”

In addition to training, the equipment provided by Kyiv’s supporters is “absolutely crucial,” Cancian said. “Armored vehicles will provide the firepower to penetrate Russian defenses and then the mobility to take advantage of any breakthrough.” Other equipment would also be needed, such as demining equipment and explosives.

Massive Russian defense

Ukrainian forces have launched a series of attacks since Sunday. The American political scientist Charles Kupchan (65) of the think tank Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has been talking for weeks about ‘shaping operations’ – movements that form the basis for a large-scale counteroffensive.

“Ukraine has been trying to hit Russian depots and supply lines in occupied territories, including Crimea, and in areas close to the border in southern Russia,” Kupchan told AFP. “The Russians built an impressive array of defenses in the south, including anti-tank ditches, followed by concrete barricades known as ‘Dragon’s Teeth,’ and finally trenches.”

Ukraine will have to launch a long and powerful offensive to break through this multi-layered “defense in depth”. Kiev’s armed forces have the necessary equipment and training, but Russia is superior in numbers.

“Bloody and difficult battles without a winner”

“The fighting is likely to be bloody and difficult and possibly end in a stalemate,” he said. There will be no winner on the battlefield. Neither side, predicts Kupchan, can muster the “skills necessary for decisive victory on the battlefield.” (kes)

Source: Blick