Large transfer of Russian vehicles with new markings spotted near Berdiansk

Ukrainian advisor to Mariupol mayor Petro Andriushchenko says Russian trucks with ammunition and manpower were spotted moving toward Berdiansk.

All the vehicles had new markings, the governor says.

"Yesterday in the morning, a convoy of nine trucks was spotted moving through the center of Mariupol in the direction of Berdyansk, most of which were marked with a new marking (two rectangles). 

Military equipment with such markings is not based in Mariupol and the area, we are checking with our partners to find out if it is based in Berdiansk or Prymorsky districts."

The governor states the number of Russian personnel has also decreased, citing the intensification of hostilities in the Vuhledar sector.

Russian troops are massing forces to the northwest of Mariupol and to Rozivka in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Earlier, Russia deployed about 5,000 new recruits to the occupied Mariupol and the district. The last such deployment of new reserves to Mariupol was recorded in April 2023.

The military activity increased rapidly in January, proven by the movement of tracked vehicles and trucks in the direction of Volnovakha and Vuhledar.

Russian occupiers had begun construction of a direct railroad connection to occupied Mariupol, Volnovakha and Donetsk: a bridge over the Kalmius River is already being built.