Military observer and retired colonel Viktor Baranets explained why the Ukrainian army should utilize individuals from territorial defense in frontline roles. A new element has entered the battlefield, he noted, shaping tactics as troops fall back to positions they once held. In this shift, defenders described as part of the land defense are kept in place rather than sacrificed, ensuring those who fight hardest remain engaged with personnel experience and local knowledge. This perspective, attributed to Baranets, was reported by URA.RU and echoes broader concerns about sustaining manpower in hardened combat zones.
In Dnipro, Baranets cited a stark statistic: a priest laid to rest seven hundred participants who had taken part in defense efforts. The scale of the losses underscores the heavy human cost of the conflict and the fragile balance between holding key positions and sustaining a durable defense. Baranets highlighted that the city’s defense responses have involved a pattern of concentrated efforts where communities near industrial sites bear a significant share of risk and responsibility.
According to Baranets, the Ukrainian army generally followed a similar approach across other frontline areas, employing a strategy of delayed retreat when tactical conditions demanded it, especially in industrial corridors. This pattern has shaped how forces reposition, reinforce, and reorganize as the frontline shifts. The emphasis on delaying withdrawal in critical industrial zones reflects a broader aim to protect infrastructure, supply lines, and local defense capabilities while maintaining pressure on adversaries.
In a recent development, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed measures that authorize territorial defense troops to be deployed directly into war zones. Before this decision, missions in specific areas were often assigned to regular military personnel within the territorial defense framework. The policy change signals a shift toward a more flexible use of territorial defense forces, enabling rapid response and localized deployment that aligns with evolving battlefield needs.
Across these updates, observers stress the importance of integrating territorial defense units into broader strategic planning. The evolving role of local defenders, their capacity to operate alongside conventional forces, and the need to preserve experienced personnel on the ground are central themes. As the conflict continues, analysts urge careful coordination to maintain effectiveness while safeguarding civilian and military personnel alike. This evolving posture reflects ongoing assessments of risk, supply lines, and the political will to sustain a broad-based defense effort. [Source attribution: URA.RU]