Russian Forces Continue to Redeploy in Eastern Ukraine

Russian forces that were part of the invading forces outside of Kyiv that failed to take the Ukrainian capital continue to be redeployed in eastern Ukraine with similar dire results.

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces failed to secure major advances in the cities of Izyum and Slovyansk as President Vladimir Putin shifts focus to take control of the Donbas.

Moreover, Russian forces completed their withdrawal from northeastern Ukrainian regions such as Sumy Oblast and continue to be redeployed to Belgorod, Russia to be part of the invading forces for Izyum or Donbas.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials also reported that Russia plans to deploy elements from the failed Kyiv invasion to Izyum, however, the said units will not be able to regain their combat effectiveness for some time.

ISW also reported that Russia may be planning a major offensive in the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts in the coming days, though the defense of the Ukrainian forces in the region will not likely be broken through frontal assaults.

Russian equipment arriving in Donbas

ISW further cites reports from Ukrainian officials and pro-Russian Telegram channels that additional Russian military equipment are arriving in Donbas for the planned major offensive.

“Ukrainian officials and pro-Russian Telegram channels both reported additional Russian equipment arriving in Donbas from an unspecified location in preparation for a renewed offensive,” according to the ISW. (GFB)