The portal “Newsweek” announces that pro-Kremlin and Ukrainian sources said that the Russian 76th and 7th Airborne Divisions (VDV) in 2023. In the summer, the units deployed in the Robotynye district of the Zaporizhia region to contain Kyiv’s counterattack were sent to other parts of the front.
It is not clear where the divisions are being sent
However, there is disagreement as to where exactly the Russian divisions are being sent. Ukrainian military analyst Kostiantyn Mašovets said at least one battalion of Russia’s 76th VDV division is being moved from the Orikhiv direction in the Zaporizhia region to either the Luhansk front line or the Kramatorsk direction, both east of it.
However, one pro-Russian Telegram channel reported that elements of the 76th VDV Division were sent to assist the 104th VDV Division near the Ukrainian tactical forward bridgehead in Krynkai, Kherson region.
The US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in late April that no confirmation of these redeployments had been seen, although the reports are “significant” and “require further investigation in the coming days”.
War in Ukraine
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Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Ukrainian soldiers (photo by SCANPIX)
Will use transfers
Analysts have estimated that Moscow may want to use the transfers to support its offensive in the Donetsk region and take advantage of Kyiv’s vulnerability before it receives the massive military aid just approved by the US Congress.
Russian forces are trying to break through to the northwest of Avdiyivka, which they captured in February, and are trying to capture the strategically important city of Khasiv Yar, which will serve as a stopover to other major cities in the Donetsk region.
ISW said that by redeploying units to the east, Russia would allow its forces to “intensify offensive operations and put increasing pressure on Ukrainian forces”.
After a meeting with top military commanders, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the aim was to “increase the quantity and quality of arms and military equipment, primarily weapons, supplied to the army.”
Ukraine has predicted that its forces face a difficult period ahead of Moscow’s expected offensive in late May or early June as it awaits the delivery of part of the American military aid.
Tags: Russia urgently moving elite units east attack strategic cities awaits
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