One idea in particular characterized Russian military thinking: razgrom. It means crushing defeat, devastation, a rout. The best way of achieving razgrom, according to classical and twentieth-century Soviet doctrine, was to encircle the other side’s forces. Encirclement offered the swiftest path to victory. It worked in Berlin and Stalingrad. You could bypass the enemy’s strongest defense lines and sweep in around the back. The troops caught in this cauldron might surrender. Or be annihilated. It didn’t really matter. Any breakout would be costly.
