Mekaniserad krigföring i urban terräng : En beskrivande fallstudie

As war between Russia and Ukraine continues, it has seen the ravaging of cities and the civilian population. Urban warfare is on the rise and could be seen as avoidable in future conflicts. The purpose of this study is to describe how mechanized units were used in the battle for Mariupol and Kharkiv 2022. The material used to analyze in the study consists of recollections and statements from firsthand sources collected by Ukrainian journalists as well as work done by independent researchers. The theoretical framework in the study is based on Thunholm & Henåkers theory of an ideal sequence on how to achieve tactical success in the battlefield. The method used is a descriptive case study. Previous research has shown that due to changes in military strategies and a focus on insurgency fighting it has led defense forces to structure combat vehicles and doctrines against weaker foes and urban combat training is not shaped for a battle against an equal or stronger adversary. The results of this study show that mechanized units can play a significant role in both offensive and defensive operations in urban areas. They can be used to break fortifications and defensive positions. They can provide excellent support for infantry, but the key role seems to be counter attacks as they allow rapid movement with great firepower and a shock factor if surprise is achieved.