Response to Ukrainian counter-offensive: Putin probably prohibits Russian soldiers from retreating

Created: 09/19/2022, 11:06 am

By: Felix Durach

Russia's military is increasingly on the defensive in the Ukraine war.

According to reports, the military leadership has now decided to take a radical step.

Moscow – The Russian forces are being pushed back further from the previously conquered areas in the Ukraine war.

Especially in the north-east of the country - in the Kharkiv region - the Ukrainian troops are able to gain more and more territory.

Only on Sunday (September 18) did the Ukrainian military manage to transfer troops to the east bank of the Oskil River.

As a result, the Ukrainian armed forces could also advance into the Luhansk region in the near future.

Ukraine-News: After territory losses - Moscow probably issued withdrawal ban for Russian soldiers

The most recent successes probably also pose a serious threat to the Russian President. Vladimir Putin has reacted to the Ukrainian counter-offensive with a radical step.

The Kremlin chief probably ordered a withdrawal ban for Russian soldiers last week.

This emerges from the current situation report of the US think tank "Institute for the Study of War" (ISW).

Ukrainian soldiers ride an armored vehicle near the city of Izyum © JUAN BARRETO/AFP

According to the reports of an unspecified Russian military blogger, the ban applies to all forces in the Donbass.

The soldiers deployed there are therefore ordered to hold their position regardless of military developments.

For the military experts from the ISW, this radical step - should the reports prove to be true - indicates several developments at the same time.

Russian military leadership worried?

No retreat would show two things

Firstly, the order also affects the Donetsk region.

There were recently no signs of a large-scale Ukrainian counter-offensive like in Kharkiv.

On the contrary, isolated offensive efforts by the Russian armed forces were reported there until recently.

The ban on withdrawal would suggest that Moscow fears a large-scale counter-offensive in Donetsk and is preparing for the attacks, the ISW experts analyze.

On the other hand, the order would show a deep distrust in the combat readiness of the troops deployed in the Donbass.

Moscow apparently sees it as necessary to tie the soldiers to the front with an order.

According to the ISW report, this decision contrasts with the confidence shown by the Russian military leadership in the troops in the Kherson region.

Apparently, a controlled withdrawal is currently being considered there.

Ukraine War: Russian military command responds to Ukrainian counteroffensive

Finally, the order could also be used to prevent the Ukrainian counter-offensive from gaining further momentum.

In early September, Ukrainian troops recorded massive territorial gains in the Kharkiv region in just a few days.

There were also repeated reports of the chaotic withdrawal of Russian forces.

Moscow only spoke of a "regrouping" of the deployed troops.