The Ukrainian incursion into the Russian Kursk region in August marked a daring military moment, showcasing the importance of adaptability and leadership under pressure. For young leaders in the U.S. Army, there are lessons to extract from this action.
You don’t have to be deployed to Europe or be on the ground next to the Ukrainian armed forces to glean lessons, however. The following lessons, including takeaways, don’t focus on just tactics or logistics, but extend to leadership qualities, mental resilience and strategic thinking, which are crucial for any officer stepping into today’s complex operational environment.
Lead in the Gray Zone
Ukraine’s Kursk incursion is a textbook example of hybrid warfare, combining conventional military tactics with psychological warfare designed to undermine Russian morale and destabilize its maneuver forces. As a junior officer, you may find yourself operating in a similar “gray zone” where traditional combat blends with information operations, cyber warfare and the court of public opinion.
Today’s conflict environment demands that your role may extend beyond leading a platoon in direct action. You must understand the broader psychological and political dimensions of the environment. The Kursk operation shows how small, focused incursions—like Ukraine’s—can disrupt a larger force psychologically. Russia historically has relied on patriotic narratives to maintain public support for its military ventures, but the shock of Ukrainian troops crossing into Russian territory arguably rattled the foundations of that support.
Takeaway: In modern conflicts, your actions as a platoon leader could be used as part of a larger information warfare campaign. Understanding how your unit’s operations fit into the broader strategic picture can magnify their impact. Don’t focus on just the immediate objectives—consider how your actions might influence enemy morale, media coverage or international perception.
Embrace Innovation
Ukraine’s decision to push into Kursk was not about just seizing territory. It was a calculated risk to disrupt Russian supply lines and force Moscow to overextend its military resources. This move demonstrates a principle every lieutenant should internalize: Innovation at the tactical level can have strategic effects.
Innovation doesn’t mean just data and drones. History provides many lessons from which to innovate. For example, much like the bold maneuvers seen during the Civil War’s Battle of Gettysburg, Ukraine took advantage of its interior lines, allowing quicker resupply and force redeployment. This historical parallel highlights the importance of the basics: leveraging terrain, speed and logistical superiority to create a more agile fighting force.
As a young officer, it’s easy to get caught up in doctrine, but rigid adherence to tactics and standard operating procedures can be stifling. The Kursk operation shows that sometimes the best course of action may be the unexpected one. During training and operations, encourage NCOs and soldiers to think broadly and deeply, opening the aperture for new approaches. As evidenced in Kursk, innovation and adaptability often will provide an advantage over a larger, better-equipped adversary.
Takeaway: Use doctrine as the basis for your approach, but think creatively, and don’t be afraid to break from doctrine when the situation demands it. Be the officer who is willing to take calculated risks, and think on your feet.
Resilience Matters
The Kursk incursion also highlights the importance of mental resilience in both leaders and subordinates. Operating deep in enemy territory, Ukrainian forces had to face the psychological strain of being outnumbered and potentially encircled. For any lieutenant, leading in such high-stress environments requires both a steady hand and a calm mind.
Resilience doesn’t mean just toughness—it’s about adapting under stress, maintaining focus in chaotic environments and setting the emotional tone for subordinates. Ukraine’s success in Kursk underscores this importance. Even
when Russian forces were expected to launch a counterattack, Ukrainian forces maintained their force posture.
When you are in charge, your soldiers will look to you not only for tactical guidance, but also for emotional leadership. You should be aware of how your actions can be used to influence enemy morale and shape battlefield perceptions, but it’s a double-edged sword. By maintaining your own resilience, you can help your team navigate the stresses of what’s before you and continue to perform at a high level.
Takeaway: As a leader, resilience is one of the most critical traits you can develop. Train yourself to stay calm under pressure and lead your soldiers through the mental and emotional strain of military operations at home and abroad.
Lead in Uncertainty
Perhaps one of the most profound lessons from the Kursk incursion is the importance of leadership in the face of uncertainty. No military operation goes according to plan, and the ability to make quick, effective decisions in fluid, ambiguous situations separates great leaders from good ones. With the advent of artificial intelligence and the digital battlefield, making those decisions requires consideration of more complex factors, but also can enhance your ability to be decisive.
Ukraine’s leadership, despite operating under extreme pressure, showed a remarkable ability to adapt their strategy on the fly. Facing logistical challenges, the constant threat of Russian counterattacks and operating in a hostile environment, news reports suggest Ukrainian commanders maintained control and kept their forces cohesive.
As a young lieutenant, you will frequently encounter situations where the information is incomplete or contradictory. In these moments, your ability to make decisive choices and take ownership of the outcomes will inspire confidence in your soldiers and help you gain the respect of your peers.
Takeaway: Learn to thrive in uncertainty. Focus on building your decision-making skills and embrace the uncertainty that comes with leadership.
Understand Morale
A key reason the Kursk incursion was so impactful is because it undermined Russian morale. By crossing into Russian territory, Ukraine not only struck a military blow, but also undermined Russia’s carefully crafted narrative of strength and invulnerability. The sight of Ukrainian troops planting their flag on Russian soil sent a powerful message, both to Ukrainian forces and to Russian civilians and soldiers. Morale, as much as firepower, can be weaponized and become a decisive factor in war.
As a tactical-level leader, you have a direct impact on the morale of your team. How you communicate, lead under fire and manage both success and failure will affect the culture, climate and psychological state of your platoon. High morale can sustain teams through the toughest conditions, while poor morale can quickly lead to breakdowns in discipline and performance.
Your role as a leader extends beyond tactical execution—you are responsible for the emotional and psychological well-being of your team. Whether through words of encouragement, leading by example or providing support during tough times, your actions will have a profound effect on and off the battlefield.
Takeaway: Never underestimate the importance of morale. Focus on building trust and cohesion within your unit, and always be aware of the mental, physical and emotional state of your soldiers.
Case Study
The Kursk incursion is more than a military operation; it is a case study in leadership, resilience, innovation and information warfare. For young lieutenants, the lessons from Ukraine’s bold maneuver are clear: Lead with creativity and adaptability, cultivate mental toughness and remain mindful of combat’s psychological dimensions.
Your role as a lieutenant is not just to execute orders, but to inspire, adapt and think strategically. This starts on the training and physical fitness grounds, in reading and writing, and through self-development. By incorporating these lessons into your leadership style, you will be better prepared for the complex, multidimensional conflicts that define modern warfare.
Lt. Col. Chaveso “Chevy” Cook is a division chief on the Joint Staff, the Pentagon. A career special operations officer, he previously commanded Headquarters Command Battalion, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Meade, Maryland. His deployments include to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. A LTG (Ret.) James M. Dubik Writing Fellow and a 2004 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York, he holds a doctorate in human development from Tufts University, Massachusetts.