Yet the utility of trenches for defensive posture has remained in use ever since. To overcome the stalemate, maneuver warfare tactics were developed. Anthony Saunders in the book Trench Warfare 1850 – 1950, describes “the trench warfare is a military operations between two entrenched armies, in which neither side can breach or outflank the defenses of the other so that breakthrough cannot be achieved, irrespective of the size or type of operation carried out to achieve that aim.” It is important to note the infantry tactics to break the stalemate caused by trench warfare eventually led to more death and destruction on both sides. Many strategic experts including noted American military theorist and Professor Dennis Hart Mahan criticized the “open frontal assault as a careless disregard of life,” moreover Mahan argued that “American soldier must fight with tactical principles that ensured minimum risk while they retained offensive capability.” The American and European military experts realized that frontal assault should be carried out when one has an advantage of surprise otherwise the more suited alternative is to use trenches that provide better protection and expected results in the battlefield. The primary reason behind waging trench warfare was to reduce the number of casualties and provide a fortified position for soldiers against the enemy forces. Though this was not intended for the modern day version of trench warfare like the case in First World War, it genesis has been well marked. In the 17th century Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban laid out the basic tenets of trench warfare. In the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war one can see the extensive use of the trenches to mitigate these challenges. One of the effective and proven ways to overcome these challenges and to protect infantry units from enemy’s hostile fire is the use of trenches…. Therefore, the article focuses on understanding the role trench warfare and its relevance in modern day battlefield with specific reference to ongoing Ukraine –Russia war using open source satellite imagery. As the Ukraine – Russia war continues, both sides have built elaborate network of trenches to defend their territories from enemy fire. One of the effective and proven ways to overcome these challenges and to protect infantry units from enemy’s hostile fire is the use of trenches. As such defenses against such an evolving threat are becoming a present day challenge. Aerial drones and satellite guidance are able to pinpoint enemy position and call in for aerial and artillery strikes. The Ukraine–Russia war is a current example of how man-portable Anti Tank/Anti Tank Aircraft Guided Missile systems are proving to be effective against Russian’s military hardware. We are also witnessing new evolution in the modern battle field where-in man-portable weapons systems are playing vital role in deciding the course of war. This change is due to the induction of latest weapon systems that can track and destroy enemy positions with pinpoint accuracy while reducing collateral damage. The characteristics of war are rapidly changing in the 21st century.
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