Russia Uses Foliage to Probe Ukrainian Lines: A New Twist in Battlefield Tactics

Search‑and‑strike operations are containing Russian advances in the area, as troops attempt to camouflage movements using spring foliage. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied This photograph taken on May 11, 2024, shows burned ground in a forest in Vovchansk district, Kharkiv region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Roman PILIPEY / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russian forces are attempting to use spring foliage as cover to infiltrate deeper into Ukrainian defensive positions on the southern front, but Ukrainian troops are increasing search‑and‑strike operations and containing the advances, a Ukrainian military spokesperson said. On Monday, speaking on television, Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Defense Forces of the South, said Russian units are exploiting newly grown vegetation, or green covers, to move small groups forward, particularly near the Velykomykhailivka forest, Ukrinform reported. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “The foliage has now grown in, and the enemy is trying to use it to penetrate deeper into our defenses,” Voloshyn said, adding that Ukrainian forces have intensified patrols and targeted operations to detect such groups. According to Voloshyn, Russian activity has increased in several directions, including the Oleksandrivka sector. He said Russian groups are attempting to enter the Velykomykhailivka forest to scout possible crossings of the Vovcha River, which runs through the area. “In this forest, the enemy is trying to seize a foothold in order to continue assault operations toward the Pokrovsk sector and the Dnipropetrovsk region,” Voloshyn said. Despite these efforts, Ukrainian forces have prevented Russian troops from establishing positions in the area, he added. On Sunday, 241 combat engagements between Ukrainian and Russian forces were recorded, with the heaviest fighting being in the Pokrovsk sector. Other Topics of Interest Thousands of Tons of Sunflower Oil Spill Into Black Sea After Kremlin Hits Odesa Region Port A Russian strike damaged a storage tank in Chornomorsk port, spilling thousands of tons of sunflower oil into port waters and threatening marine and avian wildlife. Ukrainian defenders have repelled 55 assault attempts. Veronika Sukhanych is a political analyst with a foundation in governance, legal research, and international policy. Kyiv-born and educated in comparative politics, her background includes research on global financial institutions, responsible AI governance, and security policy.