Historical accounts describe a persistent Russian/Soviet military practice of accepting high infantry casualties — for example, marching troops across uncleared minefields or using human mass to absorb defensive fire — as an operational choice rather than accidental failure. That cultural tolerance for attritional tactics shaped Eastern Front outcomes in WWII and offers a historical lens for analyzing contemporary Russian force employment.
— Understanding this doctrinal and cultural tendency helps analysts and policymakers anticipate how Russian forces may weigh casualties, escalation, and force design in future conflicts.
Isegoria
2026.02.28
100% relevant
Quote attributed to Marshal Zhukov: 'the Russians did not bother to clear minefields; they marched their infantry across the mined area and took their losses.'
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