Battles in urban environments have become increasingly frequent in the last decades. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has illustrated the type of warfare Russia conducts in urban environments, with the battle of Kharkiv and the siege of Mariupol serving as two examples.
The purpose of this study is to understand Russian and Ukrainian tactical applications during the battles of Kharkiv and Mariupol using Biddle’s Modern System Theory. The study uses a structured, focused comparison to conduct a comparison based on a common theoretical framework.
The results show that during the battle of Kharkiv the Ukrainian troops applied the modern system to a greater extent than the Russian troops, whilst during the siege of Mariupol the Russian troops applied the modern system to a greater extent than the Ukrainian troops. Furthermore, the results showcase the Russian reliance on artillery and aerial bombs. Through understanding the Russian approach to urban warfare, and which methods have been successful for the Ukrainian defenders, the Swedish officer can better plan and lead forces during a battle in an urban environment.