Russian invading forces have ramped up their desperate tactics in the Pokrovsk direction, now sending waves of troops into battle on motorbikes and in small infantry groups with little armoured support, according to Ukrainian officials. These strategies, described as brutal and chaotic, have led to staggering Russian losses as Ukrainian defenders hold firm.
Major Viktor Tregubov, spokesman for the Khortytsia operational strategic group, reported a sharp increase in Russian attacks, noting the intensity rivals the heaviest days of fighting earlier in the year. The Kremlin has shifted away from using armoured vehicles, instead relying on so-called “infantry warfare” which results in high death tolls for the invading troops. These foot soldiers are often deployed with minimal support and arrive at the front line in clusters, often on motorcycles, only to be quickly killed or replaced by more reinforcements.
The Pokrovsk axis has seen a major concentration of Russian troops, many of whom have been stationed in the region since 2023. Despite failing to capture the town after two years of operations, the Russian dictator continues to send men into battle without progress. Tregubov explained that Russian actions now resemble a never-ending assault. “It looks like one big attack that never stops. They come in, get blown up, die in batches, and then new ones come in on motorbikes,” he said.
Other directions, including Lyman, Novopavlivka, and Toretsk, remain equally intense, suggesting this shift in strategy is widespread. Ukrainian commanders expect the war to increasingly resemble trench and infantry warfare by summer, with fewer tanks and more small unit skirmishes across the frontline.
Despite Russia’s intensified efforts, Ukrainian troops are regaining territory. In April 2025 alone, Ukrainian forces recaptured 115 positions. Furthermore, 62 strategic targets within Russian territory were struck by DeepStrike weapons, demonstrating Kyiv’s increasing long-range capabilities.
British intelligence has confirmed the shift in Russian tactics and the toll it is taking. In the first four months of 2025, Russia suffered 160,000 casualties — approximately 99 per square kilometre. This marks one of the bloodiest phases of the war so far, reflecting the Russian regime’s increasing reliance on mass attacks with low professional value troops.
Meanwhile, there is no indication from Moscow of any pause in fighting during the traditional Victory Day parade period in May, which in past years occasionally prompted temporary front line lulls.
