How Russia’s Human Wave Attacks are Failing in Ukraine
As the war in Ukraine continues into its second year, the situation on the ground reveals a complex and brutal conflict, marked by Russia’s strategic missteps and Ukraine’s resilient defense.
The Strategy of Human Wave Attacks
A significant aspect of Russia’s military approach in Ukraine has been the employment of human wave tactics, particularly evident in the battles around the eastern city of Avdiivka. This strategy involves deploying large groups of poorly trained and equipped soldiers, often including convicts and conscripts, in direct assaults against Ukrainian defenses. The goal is to overwhelm the enemy through sheer numbers, regardless of the high human cost.
This tactic is a throwback to the harrowing strategies of the First World War and indicates a level of desperation within the Russian command, faced with dwindling options and hoping to erode Ukrainian resources and morale. However, these assaults have largely proven ineffective and detrimental.
Military Ineffectiveness and Casualties
The human wave attacks, a strategy marked by sending large numbers of underprepared soldiers into direct combat, have resulted in substantial Russian casualties. This strategy, reminiscent of warfare tactics from earlier centuries, has not only proven ineffective but also counterproductive. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russia may have suffered more combat fatalities in Ukraine in the first year of the war than in all its post-World War II conflicts combined, including the Soviet and Russian wars in Afghanistan and Chechnya. The high casualty rate is attributed in part to the employment of these human wave tactics, which are characterized by frontal assaults and lack of strategic nuance.
The battles for key towns like Bakhmut and Vuhledar have been particularly costly for Russia. Reports suggest that tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in these battles, many during frontal assaults on entrenched Ukrainian positions. The Atlantic Council notes that this has led to catastrophic losses, severely impacting the morale of Russian troops.
Morale and Societal Impact
The use of human wave tactics has also had a profound impact on the morale and cohesion within the Russian military and society. The reliance on mass infantry assaults has demoralized front-line troops, leading to instances of refusal to fight, desertions, protests, and information leaks. The Atlantic Council mentions dozens of video appeals posted on social media by Russian soldiers in Ukraine complaining about the tactics and high death tolls.
Additionally, the recruitment of convict soldiers by the Wagner Group, often promised freedom in return for service, has added a complex layer to the Russian forces’ composition. While some convicts are motivated by the prospect of a pardon or a sense of patriotic duty, their forced participation in such high-risk strategies contributes to the overall decline in morale among Russian forces.
The Larger Conflict
The war in Ukraine transcends a mere military confrontation; it’s a clash of contrasting visions for Europe and the world. On one side is a commitment to democracy, sovereignty, and human rights, and on the other, a paradigm of authoritarianism, expansionism, and aggression. Russia’s human wave attacks symbolize this latter view, reflecting a mode of warfare that is both archaic and inhumane.
These tactics not only reveal the shortcomings of the Russian military strategy but also highlight the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian forces and their Western allies. They underscore a collective commitment to defending fundamental values of freedom and dignity, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.
