If 2024 was the year when war returned with a vengeance to the centre of inter-State relations, it also witnessed some critical developments in warfare, featuring attrition, manoeuvre, and adaptation. The Russia-Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas wars underscore some fundamental truths about the nature of warfighting.
One key shift was how the Ukrainians changed their operational strategy by moving away from attrition-based war to manoeuvre by attacking inside Russia and occupying a large part of the Kursk region in August this year. Kursk was an ideal target for a manoeuvre-based breakthrough because it was thinly defended with poorly trained Russian conscripts. For the Ukrainians, it was precipitated by a convergence between opportunity and necessity. To relieve pressure on their territory, the Ukrainians exploited a fleeting opportunity to compel the Russians to redeploy their forces away from the main front in Kharkiv and Donbas. Ukraine's breakthrough was largely executed by its best fighting and battle-hardened units, such as the 82nd Air Assault brigade in Kharkiv and forces drawn from other parts of the front. Yet this breakthrough also came about due to prior attrition and careful assessment of the weakest areas in Russia's defences.
This story is from the December 25, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Amritsar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 25, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Amritsar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Can India conjure magic at MCG?
Four of their 10 wins in Australia have come in Melbourne, but the India batters will be tested in the Boxing Day Test
Play like a kid in the backyard, Cummins advises Sam Konstas
Australia desperately want someone to counter Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead who has been running through their batting line-up for fun in the series, and the hosts haven't really managed to get back at him in any way.
Truce deal delay: Hamas, Israel blame each other
Hamas and Israel traded accusations, on Wednesday, over delays in finalising a ceasefire and hostage release agreement for Gaza, despite continued efforts by mediators to broker a deal in the latest round of negotiations.
GST on used vehicles to depend on selling enterprise' nature of biz
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) on used vehicles will depend on the selling enterprise's nature of business, officials and experts clarified.
India maps industrial park route to turn factory giant
PLAN FOR MEGA PARKS PROVIDING DESIGNATED SPACE TO COMPANIES FOLLOWS CHINA MODEL
Pakistan airstrikes killed at least 46 in Afghanistan
Pakistan's airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan killed 46 people, mostly women and children, a Taliban government official said, on Wednesday, raising fears of further straining the relations between the two neighbors.
Fresh gunfights in Imphal East
NO CASUALTIES WERE REPORTED IN EITHER CASE, A SENIOR POLICE OFFICER SAID
Jaipur-Ajmer highway fire toll climbs to 18 with 3 more deaths
The toll in the LPG tanker-truck collision, which took place on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway on December 20, rose to 18 as three more people succumbed to injuries at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur on Wednesday, police officers aware of the matter said.
15-Yr-Old Charged With Class 2 Pupil's Murder
In a new twist in the Hathras schoolboy's murder case, initially believed to be an outcome of a botched attempt for human sacrifice, the police have filed a charge sheet against a 15-year-old boy, alleging that he killed his fellow hosteller, a class 2 student, in order for the school to declare a holiday, a senior officer said on Wednesday.
IAF Recruit to Train as Pilot at Airbase Once Commanded by Her Dad
SOARING AMBITION
