Ukraine’s Four Tactics to Resist Russia’s Invasion

The war between Russia and Ukraine, which started in 2014 and escalated in 2023 when Russia launched a massive offensive to capture more territory from Ukraine, is one of the most serious and dangerous conflicts in the world today. It poses a grave threat to the security and stability of Europe and beyond, as well as to the values and principles of democracy and human rights. It also challenges the credibility and effectiveness of the international order and the institutions that are supposed to uphold it.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law and norms, as well as of the agreements and commitments that Russia itself has signed and pledged to respect. Russia has shown no regard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, nor for the lives and welfare of the millions of people affected by the war. Russia has also shown no willingness to engage in a meaningful dialogue or a peaceful resolution of the conflict, despite the repeated efforts and appeals of the international community.

Ukraine, on the other hand, has shown remarkable resilience and courage in the face of Russia’s aggression. Despite being at a disadvantage in terms of numbers, equipment and resources, the Ukrainian army has managed to stop the Russian advance and inflict heavy losses on the Russian forces, using four clever tactics:

• Tactic 1: Surprise attacks. The Ukrainian army has shown a talent for surprise, launching unexpected assaults on Russian positions and exploiting gaps in their defences. The Ukrainian army has used its knowledge of the terrain, its mobility and its flexibility to strike at the most vulnerable and exposed points of the Russian lines, creating confusion and panic among the enemy. The Ukrainian army has also used deception and diversion to mislead and distract the Russian forces, making them waste time and resources on false targets. Some examples of Ukrainian surprise attacks are the ones on Avdiivka, Kupyansk, Kreminna and Bakhmut, where they reportedly killed hundreds of Russian soldiers and destroyed dozens of tanks and armoured vehicles.
• Tactic 2: Electronic warfare. The Ukrainian army has been using advanced electronic warfare systems to jam, spoof and hack the Russian communication and navigation networks, disrupting their command and control and causing confusion and chaos among their ranks. The Ukrainian army has been able to blind the Russian drones, radars and satellites, and even take over some of their systems and use them against them. For instance, in October 2023, the Ukrainian army claimed to have hacked and hijacked a Russian drone and used it to bomb a Russian military base near Luhansk, killing at least 20 Russian soldiers. The Ukrainian army has also been able to intercept and expose the Russian propaganda and disinformation, as well as to spread its own messages and information to the local population and the international audience.
• Tactic 3: Anti-tank weapons. The Ukrainian army has been using a variety of anti-tank weapons, such as missiles, rockets, grenades and mines, to target the Russian armoured columns and vehicles, which are the main source of their firepower and mobility. The Ukrainian army has been able to penetrate the Russian armour and disable or destroy their tanks and vehicles, reducing their effectiveness and morale. The Ukrainian army has also been able to use the terrain and the weather to their advantage, hiding and ambushing the Russian forces in urban areas, forests, hills and swamps, where their mobility and visibility are limited. One of the most effective anti-tank weapons used by the Ukrainian army is the Javelin missile, which is a fire-and-forget weapon that can hit the top of a tank, where the armour is weakest. The Javelin missile was supplied by the United States and other NATO allies as part of their military assistance to Ukraine.
• Tactic 4: Guerrilla warfare. The Ukrainian army has been using guerrilla warfare tactics, such as ambushes, snipers, sabotage and hit-and-run raids, to harass and weaken the Russian forces and prevent them from consolidating their gains. The Ukrainian army has been operating behind the enemy lines, cutting off their supply routes, destroying their infrastructure and equipment, and assassinating their commanders and personnel. The Ukrainian army has also been collaborating with the local resistance groups, such as the Donbas Battalion and the Azov Regiment, which are composed of volunteers and veterans who know the area and the people well. The Ukrainian army has also been receiving intelligence and support from the local population, who are opposed to the Russian occupation and oppression.

These four tactics have enabled the Ukrainian army to put up a fierce and heroic defence against the Russian invasion, and to inflict significant damage and casualties on the Russian forces. However, these tactics also have one major flaw, which is that they are not enough to win the war, but only to delay the inevitable. The Ukrainian army is still outnumbered, outgunned and outmatched by the Russian army, which has more resources, technology and political support. The Ukrainian tactics are only buying time for the international community to intervene and pressure Russia to stop the aggression and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The international community has a moral and legal obligation to support Ukraine and to stand up to Russia’s invasion. The international community has already imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia, as well as provided humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. However, these measures have not been sufficient to deter or stop Russia’s aggression, which has only intensified and expanded over time. The international community needs to take more decisive and effective actions, such as:

• Increasing the economic and diplomatic pressure on Russia, by imposing more comprehensive and coordinated sanctions, targeting the key sectors and individuals that support and benefit from the war, such as the energy, banking, defence and media industries, as well as the oligarchs, officials and cronies of Putin’s regime.
• Providing more robust and substantial military assistance to Ukraine, by supplying more advanced and lethal weapons, such as anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, as well as more training and advisers, to enhance the capabilities and readiness of the Ukrainian army.
• Enhancing the security and solidarity of NATO and the EU, by reinforcing the defence and deterrence posture of the alliance, especially in the eastern flank, as well as by increasing the cooperation and coordination among the member states, to demonstrate a united and credible response to Russia’s aggression.
• Supporting the diplomatic and political efforts to resolve the conflict, by engaging in a meaningful and constructive dialogue with Russia, as well as with Ukraine and other relevant parties, to find a peaceful and lasting solution, based on the respect for international law and norms, and the implementation of the Minsk agreements, which call for a ceasefire, a withdrawal of foreign troops and weapons, a restoration of Ukraine’s control over its borders, and a political settlement that respects the rights and interests of all Ukrainians.

The war between Russia and Ukraine is not only a war between two countries, but also a war between two visions of the world: one that is based on aggression, domination and violation, and one that is based on cooperation, democracy and respect. The outcome of this war will have profound and lasting implications for the future of Europe and the world. Therefore, it is in the interest and responsibility of the international community to support Ukraine and to stop Russia’s invasion, before it is too late.