Ukraine sent reserves to contest the second line of defense and currently it's a stalemate at Adiivka.
A lot of interesting insights from this year's combat so far that show signs of what to expect in the future.
1. Russian army finally using reservists in a doctrinally correct and serious manner in offensive operations after 2 years of war. Supplementing the reservists are penal assault companies (storm Z). The battle of the Adiivka salient uses a mixture of Ukrainian and Russian conscripts.
Russia still refuses to do a second round of mobilization and rely on the 2022 cadre. Ukr/Ru sources claim 600,000-430,000 men in the Russian army vs 900,000-750,000 Ukrainians. The Russian inferiority in manpower is countered by their vast superiority in firepower, they still vastly outsupply the combined West in artillery and now use 200-300 high precision bombs (UMPK and KAB) per day in airstrikes.
2. The Russians are constantly building up their armored forces, refusing to commit armor in mass outside of local operations, and have used armor as assault guns since late 2022. All these offensives have been conducted by Infantry with limited armored support. At least 3 x US M1 Abrams and 2 x obstacle breaching vehicles on the Abrams chasis has been knocked out in 1 week of combat, mainly by Russian drones.
Tanks, even the most expensive ones- continue to be deathtraps, Leopard 2 and Challenger have been easily eliminated as well. Ukraine admitted that they have largely pulled the Leo2 out of service with 26 totally destroyed and the rest damaged & broke down (100+ losses)
3. The past few months show a formula of sorts: In 'quiet periods', nonstop positional fighting with airstrikes, artillery & drones plus limited ground recon and missile strikes. In particular FPV drone warfare is literally the dominant form. During the offensive phase, ramp up airstrikes in local sectors (SU-24, SU-34, SU-35) with guided bombs to bomb the infantry forward.
4. However, territorial progress is still quite slow as it's just Russian infantry that's advancing on foot. The Russian army is outnumbered 1.5 to 1. With this ratio they will always have to rely on local operations in small sectors of the front.
This war will last for years unless 1. Ukrainian military collapses on the frontline and the civilian population get tired of war 2. NATO introduces ground forces triggering WW3 3. Russia finally launches the second armored invasion of Ukraine. 4. Both sides do a peace deal. 5. Or Russia dramatically increases troop presence in Ukraine to at least parity in manpower and then superiority.