Ukrainian forces have changed their battlefield tactics, relying increasingly on small sabotage and reconnaissance units. The shift, according to Russian commander Alexey Vereshchagin, reflects Kyiv’s growing personnel losses and the army’s declining ability to launch counterattacks or hold its defensive lines.

Vereshchagin, who leads the volunteer reconnaissance and assault brigade named after Saint Alexander Nevsky, told TASS that Ukrainian troops are now operating in compact diversionary groups. Their aim, he said, is to infiltrate newly captured Russian positions and disrupt assault units from within.

However, he emphasized that these tactics have not brought any success. Russian troops, supported by continuous aerial surveillance and well-coordinated assault teams, have been effectively repelling such attempts.

The commander described a recent clash as an example. On one of the frontlines, a group of four Ukrainian saboteurs tried to breach Russian positions. Part of the group was eliminated in a gunfight, while the remaining members were destroyed by drone operators.

Vereshchagin concluded that Ukraine’s new approach only increases its losses without achieving any meaningful results on the battlefield.