Russian / Ukranian Combat Tactics

ks_sachin · Post by **ks_sachin** » 15 Mar 2022 04:03

Hi All,

Just wondering if there is appetite to actually focus on combat tactics in this conflict and learnings for us. A case is in point is the use of armr or the timing of the invasion.

Please keep this to combat tactics and please do not get ideological rantings into this, please.

vinod · Post by **vinod** » 17 Mar 2022 01:56

It's quicker to find faults and than understand tactics at this point of time.
1. Urban warfare is a new reality with more populated areas than ever. Russia wasn't fully prepared for an urban warfare with a population which has a substantial number of them favourable to them amongst the enemy combatants. So, blanket attacks are not possible.
2. Communication are easily listened to and intelligence is quite accurate for Ukrainians. They are able to coordinate attacks on designated kill zones.
3. No jamming of opposition communication is done. Even the civilians are able to.provide accurate GPS locations to the defenders enabling accurate attacks.
4. Securing high value areas like convoys and airports are found to be lacking and subject to ambush attacks.
5. Taking out hidden targets has been problematic.
6. Counter attack against Drones is not consistent. Ukrainians seem to hide their Drones and launch sneakily. The claim of air superiority early on sort of gave a false sense of security and allowed the Drones to attack many high value systems.
7. Real time intelligence has been crucial to Ukraine's defence, Russia seems to be lacking in that.

ks_sachin · Post by **ks_sachin** » 17 Mar 2022 07:47

Agreed. But should tactics not take the above into consideration?
If you and I can hypothesise on some of the above should that not form part of the plans of the Russian General Staff.
Again let me be clear I am not saying that what the Russians are doing is wrong considering as the overall directions to the Russian General Staff are not known.

Cybaru · Post by **Cybaru** » 17 Mar 2022 13:38

The whole section of NATO alliance is putting everything they have on ISR to bear against the bear. It is easy got ukraine to co-ordinate if you can outsource to whole set of people who are not involved. Makes it difficult for Russians to plan in the field. Plus there is foreign legion t¥pe of forces that Ukraine has invited to fight under Ukrainian banner.

KiranM · Post by **KiranM** » 17 Mar 2022 14:53

My learning and observations from the various Twitter handles and web links that report. Limited information from Russian side due to Ukrainian skew of info war by West.

Russia Pros:
1. True to letter combined operations from 0 hour. They could have the traditional Russian method of artillery and air strike softening of objectives. Their Battalion Tactical Groups is interesting to observe.
2. Intelligence and recon based artillery strikes than their usual rain of fire in depth and front
3. Use of tactical ballistic missiles, to complement and supplement cruise missile strikes.
4. East and south forces looking to envelop or encircle large concentrations of Ukrainian forces (still under way)
5. Ground based air defence seem to be holding their own, forcing low level fighter and drone tactics from Ukraine

Russian Cons:
1) No flank security observed resulting in vehicle losses to ambush tactics. Possibly due to BTG being very thin in size and infantry.
2) No dismounted action at commencement of ambush by Ukrainian small teams. Even one IFV/ APC debussing could counter further losses
3) Commencing incursion knowing onset of the snow thaw (rasputitsa). If war started inspite of knowing same, might indicate East & South primary theatre and North is more of diversion to pin down Ukrainian forces.
4) Either ways north sector forces could have been more motorised than track to sacrifice cross country mobility (not possible anyways due to the thaw) for speed on roads.
5) Absence of Air Force to create favourable air situation at least initial week. No large scale force engagement seen despite their numbers
6) Late large scale usage of drones for ISR and target of opportunities.
7) Air assault of Hostomel through large helicopter force without sufficient SEAD. Looks like a planned air landing of much larger force to assault Kiev, which did not materialise due to the SNAFU

Logistics security is proving to be their Achilles heel. Either logistics miscalculated or the forces are advancing too fast for logistics to catch up within secure lines.

Overall, Russian tactics and Oplan seem to look to minimise casualties and multi-front advance to prevent Ukrainian forces from consolidating for defence in depth.
North front seems to be more of fire and attrition. While East and South front is more of battle by manoeuvre.
Integration of air support by fighter jets and HVAs seem lacking. Seems to be deep rooted doctrine and training issues, not just inter-service squabble or technical means.

Shameek · Post by **Shameek** » 19 Mar 2022 02:55

Interesting usage of unguided rockets by Russian gunships. Not sure how effective/accurate this is.

vimal · Post by **vimal** » 19 Mar 2022 05:26

^^ Not clear how that protects helo from ManPads

Vidur · Post by **Vidur** » 19 Mar 2022 07:55

Let me take a shot at this

1. Russia should have advanced on axis Donetsk-Mertiopol-Kherson to secure the Northern flank of Crimea and give depth to their lines of communications to Crimea. This should have been the main thrust. Any other thrust should have been only diversionary. However they advanced of 3-4 major axis with external lines of communication thus dissipating their forces and dangerously extending their lines of communication. They seem to have advanced with 1-2 divisions on each axis. That is not sufficient. Each axis should have had at least 3-4 divisions.

2. They should have achieved full air dominance before the advance. US bombarded Iraq for 40 days and Yugoslavia for 90 days before sending ground troops. Russians should have destroyed Ukrainian air force, POL dumps, arty, radar sites, AD. They should have used massed long range fires and heavy arty to effect to destroy as much military targets as possible. This is their doctrine and training.

3. Infantry does not seem to be dismounting to protect armour and sanitise the flanks of an advance. Junior leadership does not seem to be up to the mark. Convoys seem bunched up.

4. Trying to take major cities has derailed their objective of achieving a North-South link up along the Dnieper. They should have drawn out the Ukrainian army in the open and destroyed it instead of trying to take major urban centres. They have not been able to choke off supply of NATO arms. This has been disastrous as NATO has supplied huge amounts of weapons especially ATGMs.

Credible reports of NATO SF operating in Ukraine. Its confirmed that entire op planning is being done by NATO. ISR support and target info for high value tragets is also being provided by NATO

Igorr · Post by **Igorr** » 19 Mar 2022 13:56

The situation of the Ukrainian army is much worse than the pro-Ukrainian media report about it. Here is what Ukrainian telegram channels write for their subscribers:

“Colleagues, the problem on the eastern front is more serious than just encirclement, our military will not be able to retreat from the Donbass. According to information from Kramatorsk, the troops in the JFO zone did not have enough fuel and ammunition left to fight back from the Donbass. Earlier, the option of retreat was proposed by the command of the US Army in Europe. According to the US military, the released forces could be used to strengthen the defense of the Dnieper and the battles near Kharkov. But the analysis of the situation showed that such a maneuver is no longer possible. Now, as our interlocutor noted, the JFO fighters are left to hold the line and hope for a miracle like in Mariupol". https://t.me/rezident_ua/10964

Don't belive bros to superficial TV reports!

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:13

"Destroyed and sunk" by Ukrainian propaganda, the patrol ship "Vasily Bykov" of project 22160 of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy entered Sevastopol today after completing tasks at sea.

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:16

At the training ground in the DPR, operators of the Swedish-British ATGM "NLAW" are being trained.

Until recently, these guided missiles were transferred by Britain to the Ukrainian army. Now the fighters of the Republics of Donbass are practicing their use in order to destroy the equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:18

The story of civilians about 15 days of hell in basements without electricity, water and communications.

The Kiev security forces did not help civilians in any way.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine deployed armored vehicles in close proximity to civilian bomb shelters.

Everyone who tried to leave the city through "humanitarian corridors" was killed at the exit from Mariupol.

Instead of food and water, the Ukrainian military distributed propaganda materials among the local population that the Russian army was defeated and that the war would end not today or tomorrow (photo attached).

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:22

The Russian heavy artillery installation Malka with a caliber of 203 mm is working on the positions of the Ukrainian army in the Kharkiv region.

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:24

waiting for the next masterpieces from Ukrainian "Propogandists".

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:25

Why didn't you leave earlier? Mariupol Refugees

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:28

A relative of one of the mercenaries who went to Ukraine complains about the attitude of the Ukrainians towards them: when he and his accomplices in horror tried to flee to Poland after a powerful blow by the Russian army on their base, they tried to return them to the front by force “against their will” at the border.

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:31

https://tdpelmedia.com/breaking-news-th ... ukrane-war

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:33

"Azov, bitch! People were leaving - "Azov" shot, people! They shot columns of civilians who tried to go to Volodarsk - they shot buses!"

Civilians who escaped from Mariupol talk about the horrors they had to endure during the city battles.

According to them, there are many dead civilians in the city, who have no one to bury. Radicals from the Ukrainian "Azov Regiment" repeatedly disrupted the evacuation of civilians, shooting those who tried to leave the city.

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:41

When your a$$ is on fire ...

Britain returns Tehran the money due

Iran’s English language broadcaster Press TV announced Britain had “settled a long-overdue debt of $530million to Tehran”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/h ... 37030.html

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:42

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation showed footage of the destruction of equipment and warehouses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by strike drones

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:46

Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, More than 130 thousand people came to the festive concert and show their support for the Russian army.

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:47

Video of massive Russian strikes on the territory of the Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol, where the positions and equipment of the Azov regiment are located.

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:51

kit · Post by **kit** » 19 Mar 2022 14:53

just realised i put the posts above on wrong thread , could mods please move it over to the " hot" thread

ks_sachin · Post by **ks_sachin** » 19 Mar 2022 17:12

kit wrote:just realised i put the posts above on wrong thread , could mods please move it over to the " hot" thread

Thanks
I was going to report these posts!!!

Deans · Post by **Deans** » 19 Mar 2022 19:25

Let's stick to tactics and operations from this conflict, rather than pics.

I'd like to start with Ukraine's ORBAT ( I'm working on the Russian one, but that's more complicated, as there are divisions which have only
part of their strength assigned to Ukraine).

Ukraine's army had 13 brigades. These are:
1 Brigade in Kiev, for the protection of the Govt.
2 Mountain brigades
1 Tank brigade
4 Mechanised brigades
2 Motorised brigades.
1 Anti Aircraft brigade
2 Air assault brigades (their best units)

There are also the following formations as good as regular army brigades:
1 Special forces Brigade
1 Naval Infantry brigade

Paramilitary & irregular forces:
4 Territorial defense brigades ( Azov is one of them)
5 Battalion equivalents (may grow to brigade size) of foreign volunteers.
Pre war, these were Georgian, Chechen, Belarus, Croatian & an International volunteer legion.

Each brigade has roughly 4 battalions. So 60 conventional Battalions & 21 paramilitary battalions.

Igorr · Post by **Igorr** » 19 Mar 2022 20:41

Ukrainian Telegram channels confirm that Russian drones and planes start hitting at night when the population is hiding in basements. These strikes cause the main damage to the Ukrainian army:

Resident, [03/19/2022 13:56]

#Inside
Our source in the Presidential Office said that the General Staff informed Zelensky about problems with personnel in the Donbas due to intense hostilities. The local staff command is sounding the alarm and asking to urgently strengthen the grouping. In recent weeks, the units that are on the front line have suffered serious losses. In some companies, up to 50-60% of the personnel were knocked out. Particularly heavy losses from night strikes by Russian aircraft and drones. The command asks to send reserves to make up for losses, but so far the General Staff cannot fulfill the request, the second wave of mobilization has just begun, and all forces are concentrated near Kiev and Odessa. The last free reserve was thrown near Kharkov, Izyum and Nikolaev, but because of the constant fighting, it is urgent to strengthen these areas.

rsingh · Post by **rsingh** » 19 Mar 2022 21:13

kit wrote:A relative of one of the mercenaries who went to Ukraine complains about the attitude of the Ukrainians towards them: when he and his accomplices in horror tried to flee to Poland after a powerful blow by the Russian army on their base, they tried to return them to the front by force “against their will” at the border.

I say bad bad Russians. No fancy POW camps no friendly football. We wan go back to Torkey mate.

Shameek · Post by **Shameek** » 20 Mar 2022 03:05

Russian KA-52 combat sortie and emergency landing.

Igorr · Post by **Igorr** » 20 Mar 2022 10:42

Scott Ritter (mil expert) about Russian tactics (Microsoft transl from Russian text):
I analyze as a military man. I spent many years early in my career learning tactics for engagement and destroying Soviet forces through fire maneuvering capabilities. I know these guys. I studied them for 35 years, their doctrine and equipment, the tactics of the operation. What we see is a classic multi-vector strategy. Its goal is to bind enemy forces, keep them on the ground, destroy command posts, encircle enemy forces and capture strategically important objects. Bypassing fortified areas where the battle would be too intense. It's not easy to prevent you from seizing the initiative. The speed of advance of Russian troops is higher than the speed of German troops in Operation Blitzkrieg in World War II. So if someone says "slowly" – no, it's not slow, it's the fastest troop advance in history. Especially given that the Ukrainian army numbered 260,000 personnel, trained and equipped according to NATO standards, with a firmly linked command system effectively managed by officers. It is also worth considering the support of 200-300,000 reservists, and auxiliary units, and services. And so the Russians began, with a strength of 190 to 200,000 soldiers, to confront a force of 600,000 soldiers. Usually, at the beginning of a campaign, you achieve a three-to-one superiority on the offensive side. The Russians launched the operation with an advantage of one to three, or one to four on the Side of Ukraine. But nevertheless, the losses over the past week show 1 in 6 in favor of the Russians. Usually in modern clashes during World War II, major battles for destruction, for example, the Germans in battles with the Americans, taking into account the fact that the Americans won, for every American killed, there were 1.3 1.4 Germans. This ratio allowed the Americans to win battles and move on. The ratio of Russians and Ukrainians is 1 to 6 - for the Ukrainian side this is a crushing defeat. One of the reasons hindering the advance of the Russians is that the Russian side announced its intention to avoid casualties among the Ukrainian military. For me, as for everyone, it was an absolute surprise that they started the operation with one hand tied behind their backs. Promotion is very calm and very careful. The Russians tried to negotiate with all those who occupied fortified positions in an attempt to minimize civilian casualties and the destruction of urban facilities. The Russians demonstrated a refusal to destroy Ukrainian soldiers in their barracks. But they could. Instead, they allowed them to sleep peacefully, and declared, "We prefer that you stay in your barracks and abandon resistance, because our claims are not against you, we hunt bigger fish." Unfortunately for the Russians, the Ukrainians have decided to fight, and they are fighting very well. I cannot downplay the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian military. They confront a well-trained and well-equipped Russian army that has tactical and operational advantages. And the Ukrainians are demonstrating quite worthy clashes. But they lose, they lose.

Lee Camp: There is a lot of talk in American propaganda, I can cite your quote on Twitter as an example: 'Almost everything that is said on Western channels about the actions of the Russians in Syria is not true.' In your opinion, how do the Russian troops feel about civilian casualties?

Scott Ritter: Russian forces have deliberately deprived themselves of a huge advantage of modern military doctrine - a decisive advantage in firepower. I would even say absolute superiority. The usual strategy of the Russians is to localize the target, and burn out the location with heavy artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, mortars, and then roll armored vehicles over everything, until a new target is located, and the procedure will have to be repeated. The tactics are extremely effective and extremely brutal. If it were applied to an enemy formation located in an urban area, or in a densely populated suburb, it would lead to the death of tens of thousands of civilians. The Russians abandoned this tactic. They didn't use it anywhere. When they carry out attacks, they are guided by data about the intelligence operation, about the capabilities of the enemy and its locations. War is an imprecise science. I'm telling you as someone who knows this firsthand. You have made a reconnaissance of the target, you have chosen the most suitable weapons to eliminate the target. And suddenly it turns out that the intelligence service was wrong, or the ammunition led to destruction, which is not typical for it. And in any case, when there are clashes in areas where people live, people pay the highest price. And this is happening at the moment. But to claim that the Russians deliberately target civilians is an absolute distortion of reality. The Russians are very, very careful in their use of weapons. When they use heavy weapons, for example, in Kharkiv, they used multiple launch rocket systems in battles in private buildings. But what the Western media won't tell you is that the Russians sent a reconnaissance team to the area before then. It was ambushed and destroyed by the Ukrainian military, who were entrenched in the area. This outcome of a reconnaissance operation automatically turns the area into a legitimate combat target. I'm sorry, but these are the rules of war. If you decide to defend yourself in residential areas, you can't, it's no longer a war crime if the Russians hit these areas. I think that in one aspect the Russians are being defeated , and that is in terms of propaganda. I'm not saying I want the Russians to lie. But I would like them to present their point of view in this confrontation. What they oppose is not just propaganda from the Ukrainian government. It should be borne in mind that the CIA works closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Information. And the CIA is responsible for what is called an 'information operation.' This is an undercover operation, a political action used with the permission of the US President. And the reason they should get the president's approval is because the CIA usually has no right to manipulate information that would have an impact on the American public. They can lie, they do it very successfully. But they are forbidden to lie if it affects the point of view of Americans. And that's what they're doing right now. They spread misinformation. Or, let's just say, they are conducting an information operation, well thought out, in order to achieve a domestic political result in Russia. The meaning, in fact, is the overthrow of the regime. They want Putin to be overthrown. Therefore, they create internal discontent in Russia, and they will channel this discontent together with sanctions and political mechanisms. It should all work together. Sanctions don't work by themselves. Sanctions aimed at a certain class of citizens in Moscow whom the United States considers to be oriented towards the West. And by blocking this class from accessing the benefits of cooperation with the West, you are disrupting its way of life. The US wants this class to break free and overthrow its Saddam. This is a regime change operation. And propaganda in Ukraine is not limited to exaggerating Ukrainian victories, which is usually what the military does, or downplaying Russian successes. This is information manipulation in Russia and in Europe. Let us recall that NATO is an incompetent organization that jumped out of Afghanistan in disgrace. How do you compare them to what's happening now? How do you get them to go against what the Russians are capable of? We need to launch an information operation designed to reshape public opinion in Europe. But not directly. The American public is also influenced by propaganda. You can't manage to get the CIA to impose lies here, and at home on CNN to say, ' yes, it's all lies.' Don't do these reports. That's not true. You must tell only the truth. No, they let the lies live their lives. This requires government approval. So the President of the United States is engaged in an operation that deceives the American public, and people should take note of this. Russian translation

Deans · Post by **Deans** » 20 Mar 2022 10:54

The Russian ORBAT, in terms of forces so far been committed to the fighting in Ukraine are

Crimea Axis - 1 Mechanised and 1 Air assault division.
1 Naval Infantry brigade (not yet used)
These are under 58th Combined Arms Army.
In reserve is 22nd Corps,

Donbass Axis: 2 Motorised Rifle divisions + around 6 Battalion tactical groups that were in the region pre-war. These were drawn from the
8 and 20th Combined Arms armies. A Russian army is the equivalent of an Indian Corps. There is probably at least 1 more division in reserve here.
The Donetsk and Luhansk Militia are also part of this force.

East of Kiev (Sumy/Kharkiv axis): 2 Tank divisions, 1 Rifle division, 1 Recon brigade from the 1st Guards Tank Army.
1 Tank division, 3 Motorised rifle brigades and 2 artillery brigades under 41st Combined Arms Army
Reserve: 3 Motorised Rifle Brigades under 6th Combined Arms Army

West of Kiev Axis 1 Tank Division, 1 Mechanised division and 1 airborne brigade, under the 20th Guards Combined Arms Army.
2 Mechanised formations (strength unknown) from 5th combined Arms Army

There are 4 more armies in reserve, comprising
2 Rifle divisions & 6 Rifle brigades
1 Tank brigade
5 Artillery/ Rocket brigades.

Deans · Post by **Deans** » 20 Mar 2022 11:18

Going only by the ORBAT of both sides that I posted - My view is that the Russians first relied on a fast advance by mechanised forces and hoped to
win the war in a week (win as defined by Ukraine agreeing to Russia's ceasefire terms). The forces committed to the initial operation were tank heavy and they lacked infantry to hold territory or take cities, in a country twice the size of France.
Also, they attacked with a 2:1 advantage in brigade equivalents (not 3:1 that is typically required).

I think Russia is now going for Plan B and a longer campaign. More infantry & artillery units are moving up, to cut off and systematically break the
will of the cities to resist. With Mechanised forces moving at a slower rate and with more infantry support, I would expect that tank losses will reduce and supply difficulties will ease.

Igorr · Post by **Igorr** » 20 Mar 2022 12:03

Detection of targets, including tanks and artillery hiding in residential quarters , is carried out with the help of local residents through Telegram channels. That is why the Russian command does not make efforts to turn off the mobile Internet. So it's not a 'bug' but a 'feature'.

ZАПИСКИ VЕТЕРАНА, [15.03.2022 17:56]
[ Video ]
One and a half of the week, with the Kharkiv underground hunted by these moth...ers on the GRAD, which hid in the residential neighborhoods of Kharkov and from the courtyards of Kharkov she fired our positions in the Saltovka area. Thanks Begunok ('Runner') for accurate coordinates, we did it! Minus 2 cars with ammunition. Amen.
https://t.me/notes_veterans/2049

kit · Post by **kit** » 20 Mar 2022 12:59

Thanks Igorr, Scott Ritters comments needs to told in the western world, it is precisely what's happening. The Ukrainians especially Zelenskyy talk as if they are going to liberate Moscow!...more likely he is in Poland but his country would be a wasteland and country men pay the price, just the wrong person for the job. All full of drama and theatrics and no thinking..but a point to note .. is he fully in control ?.. does his militias listen to him or continue to use civilians as shield ?

Deans · Post by **Deans** » 20 Mar 2022 13:06

Some observations from Russian videos.

Russian army has been laying oil pipelines - from depots in Russia, to advanced depots near the front. That reduces the need for oil tankers and losses should therefore reduce sharply.
KA-52 helicopter gunships (with AT Missiles) are in evidence a lot. These are the most vulnerable to MANPADS, but in the last 2 weeks, when sorties were stepped up, only 2 have been lost.
Russian artillery is starting to get results - more footage of ammo dumps being hit.

ks_sachin · Post by **ks_sachin** » 20 Mar 2022 13:27

Here is a video which gives some insight into Russian logistics organisation.
Some interesting points but someone with more knowledge of Russian Army org could please comment.

ks_sachin · Post by **ks_sachin** » 20 Mar 2022 13:37

Deans,
Thanks for the Russian Orbat.
Perhaps would be worthwhile comparing Russian Army Group logistics capability with an Indian Corps capability.
@RohitVats your insight also appreciated.

Deans · Post by **Deans** » 20 Mar 2022 13:55

ks_sachin wrote:Deans,
Thanks for the Russian Orbat.
Perhaps would be worthwhile comparing Russian Army Group logistics capability with an Indian Corps capability.
@RohitVats your insight also appreciated.

This is a good note on Russian logistics.

https://warontherocks.com/2021/11/feedi ... logistics/

Igorr · Post by **Igorr** » 20 Mar 2022 20:48

kit wrote: All full of drama and theatrics and no thinking..but a point to note .. is he fully in control ?.. does his militias listen to him or continue to use civilians as shield ?

Ukrainian Telegram channels write that the Ukrainian General Staff insists on using a human shield, as it sees no other way to hide from Russian precision weapons. All this, of course, will continue in the same spirit. Regarding logistics: Vershinin's opinion is just the opinion of one person who claims to be an expert, although I have not heard about him before. The facts are that Russia did an excellent job with the logistics in Syria. Why it should be too difficult in Ukraine, is not clear for me.

Deans · Post by **Deans** » 20 Mar 2022 21:29

Igorr wrote:
kit wrote: All full of drama and theatrics and no thinking..but a point to note .. is he fully in control ?.. does his militias listen to him or continue to use civilians as shield ?
Ukrainian Telegram channels write that the Ukrainian General Staff insists on using a human shield, as it sees no other way to hide from Russian precision weapons. All this, of course, will continue in the same spirit. Regarding logistics: Vershinin's opinion is just the opinion of one person who claims to be an expert, although I have not heard about him before. The facts are that Russia did an excellent job with the logistics in Syria. Why it should be too difficult in Ukraine, is not clear for me.

Igor, With all due respect to the Russian army, no army since WW2 has fought a war in Europe with this large a force. Not has any army tried to
invade a country larger than France. Iraq was about 80% the size and it took months of logistical preparation, before an invasion.