Ukrainian soldiers have demonstrated, in numerous situations, a “tactical imagination” superior to Western instructors, according to a British officer involved in training programs, who particularly noted the efficiency of ambush tactics used on the front line.
The statements come in the context where the UK is coordinating the training of Ukrainian soldiers for the war with Russia, in a broad multinational program meant to transfer Western standards and procedures. Paradoxically, however, the Ukrainians’ direct combat experience has, in turn, become a valuable source of lessons for instructors.
“They have a much larger tactical imagination than us”, declared Major Maguire, a British officer who participated in the training, under partial anonymity.
This emphasizes that the difference is not due to the lack of preparation of the British soldiers, but rather to the approach. Ukrainian soldiers, forced by the reality of the front, are more willing to take risks and break out of doctrinal patterns, while the Westerners remain anchored in a strict framework, based on rules and procedures.
An eloquent example is the planning of ambushes. According to the officer, the classic doctrine involves the existence of distinct groups – one for attack and others for blocking retreat or reinforcements. However, the Ukrainian military chose a different approach: they withdrew for a few hours of planning and returned with a plan considered “brilliant” from a tactical point of view, using the terrain in an unexpected way.
“They were much more flexible and comfortable deviating from doctrine”, he explained.
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