Cauldron (military)
In military terminology, a "cauldron" refers to a large-scale encirclement of enemy forces, often leading to their isolation and potential destruction.
The term "cauldron" (from the Russian kotyol, German Kessel or English kettle) is used to describe a strategic-level pocket formed when enemy troops are surrounded by opposing forces.
It is a tactical maneuver where an enemy force is surrounded on at least three sides. It can be by physical encirclement where the enemy is completely surrounded on four sides, or operational encirclement where the lone escape routes are covered by drone or artillery fire. This strategy aims to force the enemy into a self-defeating battle of annihilation, surrender, or retreat along a narrow front, effectively ceding territory to the attacking force. The term is often associated with historical military strategies, particularly in the context of Russian military operations.
