Ukrainian infantry trade small arms fire with unseen Russian forces in the smoldering rubble that once was Klescheevka. This hamlet, located southwest of Bakhmut, has been shattered by ordnance fired by both sides, first during Russia’s winter offensive, and now during the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Currently, Ukrainian forces are gradually forcing the Russians from the village as part of their attempt to envelop Russian forces in Bakhmut. The pace of Ukraine’s offensive in this sector has slowed in recent weeks, reflecting a shift in operational priorities. Offensive operations around Bakhmut are now less focused on recapturing the city and serve to fix and attrit key Russian formations, thus supporting offensive actions in the south, while preserving Ukrainian combat power.

This footage offers an example of the limitations of firepower in urban terrain. Artillery, rockets, and bombs can reduce built-up areas to rubble, but the rubble, basements, and sewers can sometimes afford better protection to defenders than di the buildings prior to bombardment. A historical example is the struggle around the abbey of Monte Cassino, Italy, from January to May 1944. In their attempts to breach the Gustav Line, Allied leaders initially avoided bombardment of the historic abbey, which the Germans had also declined to occupy. Eventually the Allied convinced themselves that the abbey had been fortified and decided to pummel it to dust with a massive aerial bombardment. The Wehrmacht quickly occupied and fortified the rumble. The town of Cassino below received similar treatment, and in both cases the ruins offered much greater protection to the defenders than the original structures, while the rubble limited allied mobility. Of course, all of this was at the expense of the occupants who lost everything.

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through sailing.