The British Ministry of Defense reveals the latest Defense Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine.
The British Ministry of Defense has released its latest Defense Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine.
On Thursday, June 16, the British Ministry of Defense provided its latest defense intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine, which noted that “all major bridges over the Siversky Donets River, linking the disputed city of Severodonetsk and the territory controlled by Ukraine, have now most likely been destroyed.
On (June 15), the British Ministry of Defense noted that “Ukrainian soldiers, along with several hundred civilians, took refuge in underground bunkers at the Azot Chemical Plant in the Severodonetsk industrial zone.”
The Defense Ministry continued: “Ukraine probably managed to withdraw a large part of its combat troops, which were originally occupying the city. The situation remains extremely difficult for the Ukrainian forces and civilians remaining east of the river.
“With the bridges most likely destroyed, Russia will now likely need to make a contested river crossing or advance on its currently stalled flanks to turn tactical gain into operational advantage,” British Defense Intelligence read.
He added: “Russia’s fighting force in the Donbas is very likely to operate in increasingly ad hoc and severely understaffed groups.”
“As the Ukrainian authorities claim, some Russian Battalion Tactical Groups (BTG), usually set at around 600 to 800 people, have been able to muster as few as 30 soldiers.”
“For both sides fighting in contested cities, front-line combat is likely to be increasingly delegated to small groups of troops normally operating on foot.”
“Some of Russia’s strengths, such as its advantage in tank numbers, become less relevant in this environment. This is likely to contribute to their continued slow pace of progress.”