Thread by @olliecarroll

My dispatch from the heart of Ukraine’s counter-offensive in Zaporizhia region. I spoke to the combat engineers who — in their own words — have become Russia’s target number one.

economist.com/europe/2023/07…

Ukraine has switched tactics after a failed offensive south from Mala Tokmachka early on in the campaign. Now small groups of men probe forward on foot. In the open plains of Zaporizhia this is war’s most dangerous work. They are suffering the highest casualty rates of any units

The new tactics are partly a response to Russia’s serious defences — which are more onerous than expected. But it’s also because they simply don’t have enough armour to risk in doing mechanised pushes. “So we risk our men instead.”

Progress is incremental, but things are changing for better. The initial setbacks of early June made many sappers too frightened to advance. They say they are finding courage again. “Every step forward is hope,” one said. Another: “Like cockroaches, we’ll find a way through”