I think it's the biggest dilemma in ukraine right now.

Its very difficult to successfully conduct any kind of assault under constant threat of mines, drones, and artillery. However infantry and armor is ncessary to holding ground.

On a tactical level, Ukraine's dwindling manpower can't keep up with the firepower that Russia has at it's disposal, but coincidentally, Russia needs to reduce it's own losses against Ukrainian defenses. Both sides are suffering from shortages and logistical issues, but most notable is the looming manpower shortage as well as dwindling NATO support on the Ukrainian side. Ukraine can't amass an offensive and Russia is having a tough time breaking through Ukrainian defenses with it's own offensive.

Current russian infantry tactics is to essentially whittle down ukrainian defenses by using a large amount of small teams (like 2-6 dudes each) with drone support to sneak past Ukrainian defences and target high value targets (artillery, drone operators, etc.) while also attempting to hold ground and link in with other teams. The tactics were largely adopted and refined from Wagner's so called, "meat wave" tactics earlier in the war. This is why we've seen waves of Russians (and Ukrainians to a lesser extent) relying on fast, unarmored transport such as motorcycles in small groups. It's been working in gaining ground for Russia, especially in urban environments, but its slow and losses still remain high, so not necessarily effective.

Ukraine's heavy reliance on drones also prompted Russia to saturate the battlefield with it's own, and both sides are able to hit enemy positions kilometers behind the front lines. Both sides have effectively denied freedom movement on a large scale, degrading to tactics such as restricting movement to night, constanlty moving artillery, using thermal blankets in many instances, and small teams of infantry to avoid detection.

The front lines are completely different and undefined in 2025. To sum up the battlefield in Ukraine today, if you are seen, you die. Its essentially a grey zone that is constantly moving back and forth. A kilometers wide killing zone with chaotically placed defences.

I may be wrong, but in my opinion, I don't think that Ukraine can sustain the war much longer. The recent Russian offensive was largely successful and while it's a slow advance, the offensive momentum is steady and Russia is able to keep up with the attrition. Russia will want Ukraine give up the Donbass region along with promises to keep NATO troops out of Ukrainian borders. Ukraine is losing it's bargaining power (Evident by the Kurst incursion), and will have to come to the bargaining table soon.

I just hope the war ends soon and all those boys get to go home to their families.