**Russia’s Triple Chokehold Strategy: Wearing Down Ukrainian Defenses**
In a coordinated effort to exhaust Ukraine, Russia has been implementing a three-pronged strategy that combines ground assaults, drone warfare, and long-range precision strikes. This “triple chokehold” approach has become a hallmark of Russian operations over the past two months.
According to Serhii Kuzan, chairman of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, this strategy is designed to wear down Ukrainian defenses through relentless pressure on multiple fronts. “We call it the strategy and war of exhaustion,” he said. The first component involves continuous infantry attacks that keep Ukrainian troops pinned in static defensive positions, draining manpower and resources.
The second prong uses drone technology to restrict Ukrainian mobility. Russian forces are deploying drones equipped with real-time reconnaissance capabilities and mine-laying systems, making it difficult for Ukraine to escape or counterattack. Nick Reynolds, research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), noted that these drones force Ukraine to man the front line with static defensive positions.
The third element targets rear defensive lines using retrofitted Soviet-era munitions equipped with wings and GPS systems. These glide bombs can strike from a distance, making fortified positions increasingly vulnerable. Russia plans to produce 75,000 of these glide bombs in 2025, averaging 205 per day, which will significantly enhance its ability to sustain pressure.
**Ukraine’s Response: Dynamic Defense**
In response to Russia’s triple chokehold strategy, Ukraine has shifted toward a dynamic defense strategy focused on constant repositioning and mobility. Ukrainian forces have also boosted production of first-person view (FPV) drones to counter Russia’s technological edge. “The Ukrainians have become very adept and innovative about countering all types of Russian attack,” said Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former British Army colonel.
**Russia’s Limitations**
While Russia’s approach has yielded some battlefield success, including the capture of nearly 1,500 square miles of territory in 2024, experts caution that strategic limitations persist. Russia is unable to maneuver and deliver a decisive blow. Russian casualties remain steep, with losses reportedly exceeding 1,000 soldiers per day.
Ukraine claims to have destroyed over 1,159 Russian tanks and 2,500 armored vehicles since the start of 2025. Training deficits and equipment shortages continue to plague Russian forces. De Bretton-Gordon noted that most of the soldiers on the front line are barely trained conscripts who can only attack in a straight line.
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