According to British intelligence services, Russia is increasingly focusing on defending its positions in Ukraine. In recent weeks, the Russian ground forces have taken up a long-term, defensive position in most sectors of the front, the Ministry of Defense reported in London today. In the Cherson region, Russia has increased some troops with reservists.
Units understaffed
“This is likely due to a more realistic assessment that Ukraine’s severely undermanned, poorly trained force is currently only capable of defensive operations,” the intelligence agencies said in a daily report.
Russia has apparently bolstered some troops along the Dnipro River with recently mobilized reservists. However, the units had recently been extremely weak, the ministry said. According to Russian officers, Russian companies in the Cherson region in September consisted of six to eight men. A company usually consists of about 100 soldiers.
Russia: All civilians brought from Cherson
Meanwhile, according to Russia, all civilians have been transferred from the Kherson region to areas under their control. The work to move residents away from the left bank of the Dnipro River is “complete,” Moscow-appointed Crimean head Sergey Axyonov told Telegram. The Ukrainian army, on the other hand, said Moscow’s “so-called evacuation” was continuing.