Putin uses tactics tested in Chechnya and Syria in Ukraine – British intelligence

Russian aggressors are carrying out massive shelling of Ukrainian settlements, including Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Mariupol because they saw fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces. At the same time, they resort to tactics previously used during the wars in Chechnya and Syria.

This is stated in the intelligence report of the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom, according to The Guardian.

"The scale and strength of the Ukrainian resistance continue to amaze Russia. In response, it has struck at settlements in several places, including Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Mariupol," the statement said.

Analysts note that Russia resorted to similar tactics in Chechnya in 1999 and Syria in 2016, using both air and ground strikes.

British intelligence believes that this is most likely an attempt to break Ukrainian morale. At the same time, the Kremlin has repeatedly denied that it strikes at civilian areas.

In addition, British intelligence notes that Russia is trying to hide military tankers, disguising them as conventional support vehicles.

According to the British side, Russian convoys of fuel trucks continue to destroy Ukrainian forces, which significantly slows down the advance of the occupiers.