ISW: Russian Army Resumes Mechanized Attacks

Over the past two weeks, Russian troops have conducted three mechanized attacks with company or battalion forces in priority areas of the Donetsk region, which indicates changes in the use of armored vehicles by Russia. This is what the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in its report.

Analysts recall that in 2025, Russian troops generally did not conduct intensive mechanized attacks. Instead, they used small infantry groups to penetrate and slowly advance along the entire front line. It is noted that the last major mechanized assault was registered in April of this year in the western part of Zaporizhia region.

In recent weeks, the mechanized assaults that the Russians are conducting in the areas of Konstantinovka-Druzhkivka and Dobropilya in Donetsk region have increased.

Thus, on October 6, the Russian army conducted an intensive mechanized assault near Pankovka (east of Dobropilya), during which the Ukrainian Armed Forces damaged and destroyed four tanks and eight armored vehicles of the Russian forces.

On October 9, analysts write, Russia conducted another intensive mechanized assault. This happened south of Shakhovo and Vladimirovka (northeast of Pankovka).

ISW, citing Ukrainian sources, claims that Russian troops used 35 tanks and armored vehicles, as well as an unknown number of motorcycles, with Ukrainian troops damaging and destroying three tanks, 16 armored vehicles and 41 motorcycles.

Furthermore, analysts recall that on October 13, the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine "Azov" reported that the Russians had launched an intensified mechanized assault in the direction of Dobropilya, attacking with 16 units of heavy armored vehicles, as well as an unknown number of motorcycles. The unit reported that 13 units of Russian armored vehicles, three tanks and three motorcycles were destroyed.

Another evidence of the use of armored vehicles by the Russians is the statement of a Ukrainian officer on October 13. According to him, units of the 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 155th Marine Brigade (Pacific Fleet) are participating in mechanized attacks in the Donetsk region.

According to the ISW assessment, Russian troops conduct mechanized attacks mainly in rainy and foggy weather, which makes it difficult for the Defense Forces of Ukraine to use unmanned aerial vehicles. Suitable weather conditions were present on the days when the Russians carried out the aforementioned mechanized attacks - October 6, 9 and 13.