Ukraine’s New Tactics Paint a Dark Picture For Russia

Summary

The video argues that Ukraine is developing an “assault drone doctrine” to restore limited maneuver on a battlefield where drones have made conventional attacks costly. The concept integrates armored vehicles, infantry, aerial reconnaissance and strike drones, and interceptor drones intended to protect vehicles from Russian FPV attacks.

The presenter says Ukraine’s earlier drone-heavy approach was effective at slowing Russian advances but could not retake lost ground. Manpower shortages and the high cost of counterattacks also prompted the creation of specialized assault formations. The video notes that these units have faced criticism over high casualties, the diversion of replacements from regular brigades, and alleged pressure on troops to keep advancing.

The 475th Assault Regiment, known as Code 92, is presented as a leading experimenter in the new approach. In one operation, tanks advanced with heavy-lift “Vampire” drones and other UAVs, but Russian drones still damaged the vehicles, including during their return. In a later operation, a Bradley and an Abrams fired on Russian positions while drones provided support. Footage appears to show a Ukrainian drone intercepting an incoming Russian FPV. Both vehicles returned, which the presenter describes as an improvement, though not proof that the method is reliably safe.

Drawing on an interview with Major Nastenko, the video describes the regiment’s broader goals: use armored mobility and drones to suppress or reach Russian drone teams, dismount assault troops near their positions, and create conditions for a larger follow-on force. Nastenko reportedly sees mechanized assaults as more capable than infantry infiltration of delivering surprise and operational impact.

Preparing an attack requires extensive work, including selecting a suitable time and route, clearing mines, locating enemy forces and drones, coordinating communications, and establishing temporary local air superiority.

The presenter views the doctrine as a potential route back to larger mechanized operations, while emphasizing that the experiments remain vulnerable to Russian drones and have significant practical limitations. The video also contains a paid Greenland Mines advertisement, separate from its military analysis.

Presenters and Contributors

• Presenter: HistoryLegends narrator (unnamed)
• Interview participants: Michael Kofman; Major Nastenko, also identified by the callsign Flint
• Other military figures cited: Lieutenant Colonel Andre Berzovski, Bartan Crotvich, and Alexander Sherin