The Armed Forces of Ukraine have begun using a battlefield tactic known as the «tank carousel," a maneuver previously employed by the Russian army during operations in Syria. Military expert and air defense historian Yury Knutov told NEWS.ru that Ukrainian units are now adapting this approach to current combat conditions.

According to Knutov, the Ukrainian military is effectively borrowing a Russian method of tank warfare that proved its worth in Syria, though it has been slightly modified for use in Ukraine. The core of the tactic lies in the coordinated, alternating use of armored vehicles.

He explained that the maneuver involves two tanks working in rotation. One vehicle fires from a covered or closed position, while the second operates closer to the front line, engaging enemy firing points directly. After completing their tasks, the tanks switch roles, maintaining constant pressure while reducing exposure to return fire. Knutov noted that Soviet-designed tanks are particularly well suited for this kind of operation, as they formed the technological basis for many modern Russian armored systems.

The expert also pointed out a clear division in how Ukraine deploys its equipment. In offensive actions, Ukrainian forces primarily rely on weapons supplied by NATO countries. European leaders, he said, are under pressure to justify losses of Western-made hardware by pointing to at least limited battlefield gains. When it comes to holding positions, however, Ukrainian units more often turn to Soviet-era weapons, which they consider more reliable for defensive tasks.

Commenting on the situation in the Sumy region, Knutov described a modest advance by Russian troops that has widened the front line and forced Ukrainian formations to stretch their defenses. As a result, Kiev has had to redeploy additional forces to slow the advance.

In these circumstances, Knutov argued, Ukraine has little choice but to rely on Soviet-built equipment. He linked this not only to tactical considerations but also to weather conditions. With freezing temperatures setting in, Western armored vehicles may or may not cope well with the terrain, depending on specific conditions. Soviet-designed machines, by contrast, are known to move more consistently across frozen ground, making them a more dependable option in winter conditions.