Meat Grinder Tactics Decline as Russia Adopts Drones and Unconventional Warfare, BBC Reports

Russian forces are attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses along nearly the entire front line in Donbas, with the situation in several sections described as critical, BBC News Ukrainian reports.

Unlike the earlier "meat grinder" assaults, the Russian military now employs small groups for offensives, often using unconventional transport such as motorcycles, old Lada cars, and even electric scooters.

A year ago, so-called "human wave" tactics were a common strategy for Russian troops to push forward, particularly during prolonged battles like those for Bakhmut and Avdiivka.

The widespread use of aerial reconnaissance and FPV drones is transforming the way war is fought in Ukraine. Drones, including suicide models, make it nearly impossible for infantry to move freely on the battlefield. As a result, large-scale group assaults have become increasingly ineffective and futile.

According to platoon commander Klebaniuk, attempts to seize positions often involve a column led by heavy armored vehicles, such as a tank or an armored personnel carrier.

“Following them are motorcycles, buggies (quad bikes), old Lada cars with their roofs cut off—essentially, any vehicle capable of moving across the terrain,” he said.

Sometimes these movements take place without the support of heavy armored vehicles.

"As soon as they make contact with our position, they retreat 200-300 meters," explains the sergeant. "Then, everything starts targeting the area where the contact occurred—FPV drones are deployed, artillery and tanks open fire, and Grad rockets with cluster munitions are launched. They level the entire area, including any tree lines, and then their group attempts to advance again."

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, Russia's daily average losses, both killed and wounded, reached a record high in its war against Ukraine in November 2024.