Significant in Luhansk region: London: Moscow prioritizes Svatove defense

In eastern Ukraine, Russia is fighting to secure a key center in Luhansk.

Significant in Luhansk region: London: Moscow prioritizes Svatove defense

In eastern Ukraine, Russia is fighting to secure a key center in Luhansk. According to the London secret service, Moscow is in a very vulnerable position there, after all, the front positions are occupied by poorly trained reservists.

After retreating across the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine, the Russian forces are concentrating on defending the city of Svatove in the east of the country, according to British estimates. There the Russian troops are now most vulnerable, said the Ministry of Defense in London, citing intelligence findings. "As a major population center in the Luhansk region, the Russian leadership will most likely see maintaining control of Svatove as a political priority," it said.

There have been heavy artillery battles in the area in recent weeks. Russia is expanding its defensive positions there as well as at other points on the front, although these are primarily manned by poorly trained reservists. "However, commanders are likely struggling with the military reality of maintaining a credible defense while attempting to resource offensive operations further south in Donetsk," the ministry said.

"Both the defensive and offensive capabilities of Russian troops continue to be hampered by a serious shortage of ammunition and qualified personnel." 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 at the end of February, 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.