By dressing in civilian clothes and traveling in small groups, Russian soldiers manage to get through gaps in the front line and further into Ukrainian communities, the newspaper writes.
The tactic creates confusion and complicates an already tense situation at the front.
The Ukrainians cannot shoot any suspect in civilian clothes without first finding out who they are and what they are doing, military reporter Emil Kastehelmi tells the newspaper.
“Classic model”
According to Joakim Paasikivi, the strategy is well known.
There have been reports of this happening sporadically during the war, and it's a classic pattern, he says.
But despite the classic model, it is classed as a war crime, according to Paasikivi. Soldiers must wear uniforms and carry weapons openly in order to enjoy certain protection and certain rights.
That Russia still uses the method is hardly surprising, says Paasikivi.
There are few rules followed by Russia. They have used everything else, so why not this? The only thing missing is weapons of mass destruction on a large scale.
Not decisive
According to Paasikivi, the strategy is an attempt to gather information in order to achieve some form of success in the static war, where the front line in principle does not move.
Then it is difficult to know if it is a sanctioned method, carried out by special reconnaissance units or if it is a local initiative. But the effect is basically the same, you get to know a little more.
However, he does not consider it particularly likely that the method would be decisive for the course of the war or create any major opportunities.
Sure, it creates some problems, it becomes incredibly complicated for the Ukrainian soldiers who have to defend the front when you don't know who the enemy is. But is it a huge problem? I don't think so.
