Vladmir Putin’s troops are “only managing to make slow progress” in the Donbas region of Ukraine and have had to reallocate resources, British defence chiefs have said.
“Russia is likely reallocating a significant number of its forces from the northern Donbas sector to southern Ukraine,” the latest defence intelligence update said.
“Russia is probably adjusting the operational design of its Donbas offensive after failing to make a decisive operational breakthrough under the plan it had been following since April.
“It has likely identified its Zaporizhzhia front as a vulnerable area in need of reinforcement.”
The Ministry of Defence said over the last four days, Russia has “continued to attempt tactical assaults on the Bakmut axis, northeast of Donetsk, only managing to make slow progress.”
The Ukrainians have used American-supplied rocket launchers to strike bridges and military infrastructure in the south, forcing Russia to divert its forces from the Donbas in the east to counter the new threat.
While the bulk of Russian and Ukrainian military assets are concentrated in the Donbas, the industrial region of mines and factories, both sides hope to make gains elsewhere.
Ukraine has vowed to drive the Russians from the territory they have seized since the start of the invasion, including the southern region of Kherson and part of the Zaporizhzhia region, while Moscow has pledged to hold on to the occupied areas and take more ground around the country.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 1 August 2022
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) August 1, 2022
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/WFgCHPs7yY
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/sU8IJmgiyF
The Donbas consists of Luhansk province, now fully controlled by Russia, and Donetsk province, about half of which is in Moscow’s hands.
Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov noted that by stepping up the attacks in the south, Kyiv has forced Russia to spread its forces.
"The Russian military command has been put before a dilemma: to try to press the offensive in the Donetsk region or build up defenses in the south," Zhdanov said. "It’s going to be difficult for them to perform both tasks simultaneously for a long time."
Meanwhile, the first ship carrying Ukrainian grain set off from the port of Odesa on Monday under a deal that is expected to release large stores of Ukrainian crops to foreign markets.
The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni was carrying over 26,000 tons of corn.
The ship is expected to reach Istanbul on Tuesday, where it will be inspected, before being allowed to proceed, the ministry said. The corn will then head to Lebanon.
"Today Ukraine, together with partners, is taking another step towards preventing world hunger," said Alexander Kubrakov, the Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure.
The Turkish ministry statement said other ships would also depart Ukraine’s ports through the safe corridors in line with deals signed in Istanbul on July 22, but did not provide further details.
The deals also allow Russia to export grain and fertilisers.
