--- title: "Change of tactics: how Russia is masking troop transfers through Mariupol" description: "Russia is changing its tactics for transferring troops to the Donbas: instead of large convoys, they are now using camouflage as civilian transport. Experts note that this is done for secrecy due to losses and Ukrainian strikes. πŸš›πŸ‡·πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦" date: 2026-07-05T06:44:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/change-of-tactics-how-russia-is-masking-troop-transfers-through-mariupol tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Change of tactics: how Russia is masking troop transfers through Mariupol ![Russian military KAMAZ trucks with camouflage nets transporting artillery systems on a road in mountainous terrain](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/05/smena-taktiki-kak-rossiya-maskiruet-perebrosku-voysk-cherez-mariupol/smena-taktiki-kak-rossiya-maskiruet-perebrosku-voysk-cherez-mariupol-1.webp) The logistics situation for the Russian armed forces on the northern Donbas front has undergone significant changes. If troop transfers through Mariupol were previously carried out in familiar large convoys, the format of movement has now changed. This is reported by RBK-Ukraine citing data from the head of the Center for the Study of Occupation, Petr Andryuschenko. ### Disguising as civilian transport According to the expert, Russian military forces have switched to moving in small groups. A key element of the new tactic is the use of ordinary transport for cover. Recorded video footage shows trucks that look civilian on the outside transporting military equipment covered with camouflage nets. Andryuschenko emphasizes that the entire recorded convoy has a military purpose, although this is not always visually obvious. The movements are accompanied by mobile fire groups, which allows for security along the route. ### Detection difficulties The new logistics format creates serious difficulties for remote monitoring. Such movements are difficult to detect using satellite imagery or long-range reconnaissance. Detection of convoys is possible primarily thanks to observations directly at the location of their passage. These changes indicate that the Russian command is trying to make the transfer of troops through Mariupol more cautious and covert. "This clearly shows how much more cautious and covert Russian military logistics has become," Andryuschenko summarized. ### Change in offensive tactics In addition to logistical changes, Russian forces have also adjusted their offensive tactics. This is due to the heavy losses suffered in equipment and personnel. Instead of the usual assaults by large groups on armored vehicles, the enemy is increasingly trying to infiltrate between Ukrainian positions in small groups of two to three people. In addition, active long-range strikes by Ukraine force Russian air defense systems to constantly move, which leads to accelerated resource consumption and a decrease in the effectiveness of the defense system.