From BTRs to boots: Russia now attacks Kharkiv’s Vovchansk with infantry-only waves (MAPS)

Russian forces have completely abandoned armored vehicles and mechanized assaults near Vovchansk, now relying solely on small infantry groups that advance meter by meter at catastrophic human cost, according to a Ukrainian military brigade's spokesperson. Ukrainian drones have made any vehicle movement suicidal since summer 2025, forcing Russian commanders to send soldiers on foot in small-group waves.

Drones killed mechanized warfare at Vovchansk

Army Inform reports that Ruslana Bohdan, communications officer of Ukraine's 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, said Russian forces haven't attempted a single mechanized assault since summer 2025. 

"Mechanized assaults have been impossible since summer — at least, the last time [in summer — Ed.] we saw an attempt at a mechanized assault here. Of course, drones stop them all, so using vehicles here is ineffective — BTRs, none of that works for moving infantry. And cars don't either, actually," she said during an ArmyTV stream on 30 January. 

Instead, the Russians are attacking in small groups of one to three soldiers each "trying to reach a certain point. However many make it, make it. Then the next point again." The invaders repeat this over and over, trying to concentrate somewhere and "gather combat strength to storm a position," she says.

"Is there any advance, is the enemy moving? Yes, indeed, they are moving. Yes, indeed, there are changes. The gray zone is expanding. However, [this happens — Ed.] at the cost of enormous losses — it's hard to imagine the justification for these losses," the servicewoman noted.

Russian tactics have shifted dramatically from 2025. Last January, Russian forces actively fought inside Vovchansk itself. Now they try to avoid very active fighting in the city itself, instead attempting to bypass Vovchansk from both flanks, according to the officer.

Frozen rivers briefly aided Russian movement

Earlier, Viktor Trehubov, head of communications for the Joint Forces Task Force, provided additional details. Russian troops exploited a window when frozen rivers posed less of an obstacle. 

"Given that the rivers were still frozen for some time and did not pose as much of an obstacle as before, the enemy took full advantage of this period," he told Ukrinform. 

Russian forces hold a significant numerical advantage in the sector and are trying to exploit it. Trehubov described the situation as difficult. Russian forces have also attempted to bypass Ukrainian positions near Vovchanski Khutory.