Putin's vulnerability identified?

Intelligence report on new strategy and troop deployment

Created: 04/08/2022, 04:50

By: Andreas Schmid

A Russian soldier on a military truck with the letter Z in Zaporizhia.

Is Kremlin chief Putin moving his troops?

© picture alliance/dpa/AP//Pavel Byrkin /SPUTNIK/AFP (montage)

The British secret service sees "no decisive breakthrough" in the Ukraine war.

Russia is therefore adapting its strategy – and moving troops.

Zaporizhia - Is this the next change of strategy in the Ukraine war?

The British secret service and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyj see signs of a regrouping of Russian troops from the east to the south of Ukraine.

Russia has apparently identified the front in the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhia as a weak point, the British Ministry of Defense said on Monday, citing intelligence information.

Zelenskyj spoke of Russian reactions to the Ukrainian counter-offensive.

New Russia strategy in the Ukraine war?

Brits see 'slow progress'

Since the beginning of the war, southern Ukraine has repeatedly been the target of Russian attacks.

Russian troops occupied several areas, such as the city of Cherson with almost 300,000 inhabitants.

Actually, Russia wanted to advance to the strategically important port city of Odessa, but failed.

Ukrainian troops began a counter-offensive and put Russia under pressure - also because of arms deliveries from the West.

Originally, Russia focused on the Donbass border region in eastern Ukraine.

From there, the Kremlin is likely to move a significant number of its forces from the northern Donbass sector to southern Ukraine, London reported.

"Russia is likely to adjust the operational design of its Donbass offensive after failing to make a significant operational breakthrough under the plan it has been pursuing since April." Russia is making "slow progress."

Great Britain in the Ukraine War

The British secret service has been publishing information on the course of the war since the beginning of the war.

Usually via Twitter.

In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and show transparency in contrast to Moscow, keep allies in line and, if possible, reach people in Russia who otherwise only reach the Kremlin's interpretation of the war.

The ousted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is a close ally of Zelenskyy.

Moscow accuses London of a targeted disinformation campaign.

Putin order?

Russia is apparently planning a new offensive

The Kremlin initially did not comment on the alleged troop transfer - and is said to continue to keep an eye on the Donbass.

Another offensive is planned in eastern Ukraine, according to the current situation report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Accordingly, Russian troops undertake local attacks in the north-west and south-west of the city of Izyum.

This is intended to create the conditions for further operations in the direction of Kharkiv.

The ISW – a US think tank – believes that Russian President Valdimir Putin has ordered the conquest of Ukraine's second-largest city and the unoccupied parts of Kharkiv Oblast.

Putin did not officially comment on this.

Interesting: The institute believes that the attack will fail due to logistical and personnel problems.