Ukraine’s front line grows bigger as Russia shifts tactics, top commander says

AP ^ | Sept 26, 2025 | HANNA ARHIROVA and BARRY HATTON

[McGruff]

The front line on the battlefield in Ukraine has grown in length to nearly 1,250 kilometers (800 miles), stretching Kyiv’s defenses, while Russian forces employ a new tactic of sending swarms of small assault groups to infiltrate Ukrainian lines, Ukraine’s top military commander says.

The line of contact has grown by roughly 200 kilometers (120 miles) over the past year, and Ukrainian forces are averaging between 160 and 190 combat engagements every day with Russia’s bigger army, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a review of the battlefield situation.

At the same time, Russian tactics have switched since the start of the summer from costly large-scale offensives to deploying small assault groups in a new approach that Syrskyi called the “thousand cuts” tactic.

[McGruff]

“Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like “a paper tiger.” - President Trump

[cport]

Worrisome. Expect this to increase the neo-cons and leftists to demand boots on the ground.

[Dr. Franklin]

The fall rains will come shortly. Russia’s summer offensive failed. The Ukies are taking out the Russian refineries. Russia will experience a difficult winter. The Putler Regime may not survive into the Spring.

[alexander_busek]

At the same time, Russian tactics have switched since the start of the summer from costly large-scale offensives to deploying small assault groups in a new approach that Syrskyi called the “thousand cuts” tactic.

A sign of desparation.

This will eventually degenerate into "Ivan" ordering individual grunts armed only with rifles to storm the defenders' fortified positions.

Regards,

[Pete Dovgan]

Someone tell Vlad the Invader it’s a stupid war with Stupid Prizes. He is the only holdout now for a peace deal.

Never ending wars are very hard on nations and there economies. Vlad can get out of this one and prosper.

[Who is John Galt?]

A sign of desparation.

Actually, it's just one previously employed and potentially effective response to deadlocked trench warfare...

;^)

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

Thanks for the link. As that webpage was open, AP begged for money. (PBS these days begs even louder and more consistently.)

As the article is by HANNA ARHIROVA, the web page notes she " is an Associated Press reporter covering Ukraine. She is based in Kyiv." So this is Ukrainian-sourced News, with "...Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said ...." and five other mentions of his name. She and a Portugal-based colleague report the general's words:

....a new approach that Syrskyi called the “thousand cuts” tactic.

His version of events could not be independently verified, and Russian officials made no immediate comment.

Interetsing addition to the short article.

In a parallel article from that link: "I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form,” Trump wrote. “With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.”

It is rather fascinating to observe the messaging in the media as time goes by.

So all that remains is to wait and see. As in all wars, one side wins though all sides lose while one wins (when no "DMZ" sort of thing delays), and it is certain that this war will end. How it will end is anybody's guess.

[PUGACHEV]

How could Vlad possibly get out of this war? Some other Russian leader might, but not him. He would not survive the peace and that’s the problem.

[Brian Griffin]

1: Sorry, Pete, I simply don’t see how the US military could do it!
....
500: Sorry, Mr. President, like we’ve all said, without nuclear force the US military could not take the rest of Donetsk.

[PGR88]

a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win.

Yes, Captain!

[FreedomPoster]

The same applies to Zelensky.

[Pete Dovgan]

How could Vlad possibly get out of this war? Some other Russian leader might, but not him. He would not survive the peace and that’s the problem.

If I were Vlad I would make a deal with Trump to ‘expedite’ oil and gas sales, drilling, and transport with the United States and the EU. I would make a deal on ‘Rare Earth Metals’ and ask to be included in a non-aggression pact and potentially join NATO.

Before anybody thinks this is silly and stupid, especially Russians, consider this. Russian oil and Gas easily could supply Germany and most of Europe with cheap energy for manufacturing, and would easily make Russia rich. Energy is the Russian economic future. Then you have security, if Russia is in a NATO non-aggressive pact, they don’t have to worry about China on it’s southern border. All of that is huge security win. Further, Russia can supply MANY military supplies at much more cost effective rate to NATO allies. Especially some types of aircraft.

The United States, NATO, and Russia would be good for everybody. It starts with ending stupid cold war conflicts, stupid business boycotts, bad business practices in Russia, and stupid wars that just get good people killed. Once again, TRUMP IS CORRECT, Vlad the Invader needs to tell the war mongers in the Kremlin there is a better direction for Russia and it’s people.

[alexander_busek]

Actually, it's just one previously employed and potentially effective response to deadlocked trench warfare...

Yeah, lots of potential there...

Regards,

[ansel12]

Get real, that was just plain silly.

[EnderWiggin1970]

I’ve been noticing less resistance to Russian advances in rural fields and forest belts over the last month. Apparently Ukraine is running out of infantry to hold rural areas, concentrating them in the defense of villages and towns instead. The Russians then only encounter drones in the rural assaults.

[JimRed]

Since Ukraine and Russia are losing so many men, I expect to see many more invitations from lovely young Ukrainian and Russian women in my inbox. Too late ladies, I am a married guy.

[Apparatchik]

The Russkies are hoping the stench of rotting orc corpses that are the result of these meat wave attacks will finally drive the Ukrainians back.

I heard that the mobile crematoria will feature in next year’s Victory Parade.

[Dick Vomer]

hmmm I don't think so. Putin is an alpha predator that rose from the cesspool and murderous KGB. Anyone and anything that is a threat is found dead.

What surprises me is that there is not one word of the difficulty that Ukraine might have continuing to feed the beast at the front...chewing up men on both sides.

I think that this will continue on like I said a couple of years ago.... Ukraine is going to be landlocked, or divided like Korea....The Russians are going to "defend" Russians in Moldova and finally decide that in order to "defend" herself, she'll decide that Kaliningrad Oblast needs to be defended.

Europe won't and can't do sh#t if Ivan decides to fund the Islamic men of the EU and attack the Baltic and Moldovan areas.

I know... I know... Russia is on it's last legs, Putin is unpopular, they are on the verge of collapse and he will die of cancer anytime soon....

Think of this, who is the snake that is going to replace Putin? Think of the sociopath and Machiavellian man just waiting to take over...Was probably a young man when Putin came to power and weaseled his way through the minefield of Russian politics.

Baby rats don't grow up to be bunny rabbits... they grow up to be rats....