Thue t1_jacgvar wrote on February 28, 2023 at 1:14 PM

Reply to comment by xenoghost1 in Ukraine war: Zelensky says situation in Bakhmut worsening by jacobhong

Or it is misdirection to make the Russian overcommit, and then be crushed by a counterattack from the Ukrainian reserves. A modern version of the Parthian shot.

Note that I am not claiming either way. Just that you should always consider the misdirection motive in war. Feinted retreats into ambush are a classic tactic.

mechanicalpulse t1_jacnt5n wrote on February 28, 2023 at 2:11 PM

Exactly my thoughts. I've never heard of the Parthian shot (that was a great read, thank you for the link), but I am reminded of the Battle of Austerlitz in which Napolean deftly executed just such a feinted retreat into ambush. Modern engagements are very different, of course, so I think the Parthian shot is an apt comparison to the grenade-carrying drones that are picking off individual Russian soldiers. In any case, you're right to point out that deception remains an important aspect of military strategy.

xenoghost1 t1_jacisub wrote on February 28, 2023 at 1:30 PM

always a chance, just saying with the information available