russian winter offensive in Donbas has failed – British intelligence

The aim of russian military command to expand Donbas's controlled territories during the winter offensive failed.

This is stated in the intelligence review of the British Ministry of Defense as of April 1.

British analysts note that on January 11, 2023, the Chief of the General Staff of russia, General Valery Gerasimov, assumed personal command of the "special military operation" in Ukraine.

"Gerasimov's tenure has been characterized by an effort to launch a general winter offensive with the aim of extending russian control over the whole of the Donbas region.

80 days on, it is increasingly apparent that this project has failed," the intelligence agency emphasized.

British intelligence notes that russian troops have achieved only minor successes in several areas of the front in Donbas. However, they lost tens of thousands of invaders, largely squandering their temporary advantage in personnel obtained as a result of the autumn "partial mobilization."

"After ten years as chief of the russian General Staff, there is a realistic possibility that Gerasimov is pushing the limits of how far russia's political leadership will tolerate failure," the review noted.

For reference:

Earlier, British intelligence reported that it would be difficult for russia to restore its arsenal of counter-battery radars. Because these systems depend on the supply of high-tech electronics that have been sanctioned.

Moreover, British analysts reported that the russian command was recruiting more and more infantry for the offensive near the city of Bakhmut to save dwindling ammunition stockpiles. According to experts of the British Ministry of Defense, at the end of February 2023, the russian mobilized personnel said they had received an order to assault a Ukrainian concrete stronghold. At the same time, their weapons included only "firearms and entrenching shovels."

Read also – British intelligence analyzes russian losses in Vuhledar sector of Donetsk region