Offensive

An offensive is a type of military action used to defeat the enemy and seize essential areas. It consists in defeating the enemy by all available means, in a decisive attack, the rapid advancement of units deep into his battle formations, destruction, and capture of manpower, and capture of weapons, equipment, and planned areas (frontiers).[Бажан, М.]
During the offensive, the attacking party tries to inflict maximum damage on the enemy's defenses and deprive him of the opportunity to resist the attack. The offensive is manifested in the neutralization of the main strongholds of the defending party and the establishment of its control over a specific territory that was previously under the control of the enemy. The attacking party determines for itself which enemy objects it is more expedient to destroy, and which to capture intact or with minor damage. The success of the offensive depends on many factors, among them the commander's talent, the ratio of military forces, strategies, tactics, morale, and resources of the parties.[Glantz, David M.]

Sources:

Бажан, М. (1985). Українська радянська енциклопедія. Київ: Головна редакція УРЕ.

Glantz, David M. (1991). Soviet military operational art: in pursuit of deep battle. London: Frank Cass.