The military situation in front of Kreminna is coming to a head: Ukraine has recently reported successes, and Russia is said to be preparing for a decisive battle. According to the British secret service, Moscow's troop formation should get a new leader there. He would now be the fourth in ten months.
According to British information, a Russian troop formation in a contested area in eastern Ukraine is likely to be given new leadership. Lieutenant-General Yevgeny Nikiforov is likely to be in the process of assuming command of Russia's Western Forces Group (WGF), the UK MoD wrote in its regular intelligence update. He would be at least the fourth commander at the head of the association since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February.
According to British assessments, the WGF is almost certainly tasked with holding Russia's right flank in the area around the cities of Kreminna and Swatowe. The Ukrainian military reported progress near Kreminna on Thursday. An American think tank had previously announced that the Russian army was gathering troops in the Luhansk region and preparing for a decisive battle.
Kreminna is considered a possible gateway to advance further in eastern Ukraine. The Russian military occupied the small town in mid-April after heavy fighting and from there prepared the further advance to the conurbation between Sievjerodonetsk and Lyssychansk. In return, Kreminna could now serve the Ukrainians as a staging area for the recapture of the two major cities after the capture.
The British Ministry of Defense has published daily information on the course of the war since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a targeted disinformation campaign.
Meanwhile, Britain announced that it would support Ukraine in clearing mines and unexploded missiles. The Ministry of Defense in London announced that more than 1,000 metal detectors and 100 bomb disposal equipment packages had been delivered.
"Russia's use of landmines and attacks on civilian infrastructure underscores the shocking ferocity of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's invasion," said Department Head Ben Wallace. "This new British support package will help Ukraine safely clear land and buildings as it reclaims its rightful territory." London is one of Ukraine's largest suppliers of arms, but also of other support. To date, more than 11,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in Britain.
