A DUEL BETWEEN THE TACTICS OF THE "SECOND" ARMY OF THE WORLD AND THE UKRAINIAN DEFENCE FORCES IN THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR IN THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 2022 TO NOVEMBER 2023

The article outlines the chronology of the invasion of Ukraine by russian troops from February 2022 to November 2023. Using the analytical and predictive methodology, the author identifies the strategy of the russian occupation forces (ROF), the reasons for the use of certain tactics of warfare by both sides, analyses the general capabilities of the russian federation in further aggression, and draws conclusions from the experience of combat operations gained in the context of the russian-Ukrainian war that are relevant and in demand for the development of modern military art. In addition, the paper uses a comparative and analytical analysis and empirical research method to explore the forms and methods of combat operations of the russian federation and the Ukrainian Defense Forces during the period under consideration.For convenience, clarity and systematization of research, the russian-Ukrainian war is divided into conditional time periods. Drawing on a range of sources, including official documents, historical records, and media reports, the authors of the paper offer insights into combat episodes where novel tactics were employed or those that bear resemblance to past wars, highlighting their potential implications.The authors have analysed the atypical tactics used by the Ukrainian Defense Forces (UDF) and the ROF, exploring the reasons behind their utilisation and the consequences they have entailed. The paper identifies the relationship between the emergence and trends in the development of new types and models of weapons and military equipment, and their impact on the methods and forms of combat operations during the russian-Ukrainian war.The author examines the compatibility of combat use and interaction of obsolete types of weapons and military equipment with modern models, and provides a general description of the russian-Ukrainian war.