I don't see the tactics as particularly new. I see the merit in the attack as being (1) diversionary pressure to relieve the main Donbass front (2) possibly seize the nuclear plant. Either would be beneficial, both would be great. However any diversion will be transitory due to superior Russian numbers. Any territory gains short of the power plant will give zero leverage. The gas site is also a red herring - Ukraine has the whole length of the pipeline they could cut, there is no need to cut it in Russia. Gaining the nuclear plant would be a good bargaining chip, but I think the window to do that has closed or is nearly closed.