Russian forces deployed its paratroopers to southern front weakening its defenses near Bakhmut – UK intelligence
Photo: Ukraine's Defense Intelligence
UK Intelligence's new report explains why Russia's defenses near Bakhmut have significantly weakened, letting Ukrainian troops grasp more land.
On September 15, the Ukrainian forces recaptured the villages of Klishchiiivka and Andriivka, located about 8 km south of the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.
This tactical success brings Ukrainian forces closer to the T-05-13 road, one of the main supply routes to Bakhmut from the south. Russia continues to hold the railroad line that runs along the embankment between Klishchiiivka and T-05-13, creating an easily defensible obstacle.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 20 September 2023.
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Recent redeployments of Russian airborne forces from Bakhmut to Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine have likely weakened Russia's defenses around Bakhmut.
British intelligence reported that in September, Russia reinforced the exhausted 58th Combined Arms Army with airborne troops in the Orikhiv direction of the Zaporizhzhia region.
In full strength, this force should amount to about 10,000 elite paratroopers. However, almost all units are likely to be in critical condition, being used as regular infantry.
The liberation of both towns enabled the Ukrainian forces to continue the operation to encircle Bakhmut. These two villages are key to cutting off the logistical supply routes of the Russian army to the captured Bakhmut from the south. The liberation of these villages will help push the Russians out of the city.
The Ukrainian military continues to drive the enemy out of southern Ukraine to clear a strip of at least 10-15 kilometers from the left bank.
Ukraine's ex-deputy defense minister noted that Russians did not want to abandon their lost positions in the south. Ukrainian forces are steadily progressing in the Bakhmut sector and advancing in the south.
