The Prussian Army was in action, and the Russian Army was not idle either. Perhaps learning from the lessons of the last war, the Russians were much more cautious this time.
No matter how the Prussian Army attacked, they were fixated on Smolensk; other regions relied on previously constructed fortifications for defense.
From the standpoint of an observer, the Russians were a bit conservative in their strategy, but it has to be admitted that this was the safest option.
Smolensk is the gateway to Moscow; without taking this place, the Russian Army simply cannot rest assured and advance to the west.
Those who have studied the Prussian Army know that they prefer to concentrate their superior forces in a local battlefield for a decisive battle; they excel in outflanking maneuver, rapid breakthroughs, external line operations, and quick resolutions.
In the last war, the Russians suffered heavy losses, so naturally, they had to learn from their mistakes.
