Russian forces have made marginal gains on the outskirts of Severodonetsk, a crucial city in Ukraine’s Luhansk oblast, but have largely stalled along other routes.
Military analysts say Moscow is facing mounting troop losses and broken-down equipment that will complicate any efforts to renew offensive operations in the ongoing battle to secure the Donbas region.
Both Russia and Ukraine have continued to conduct heavy artillery barrages on positions around the Severodonetsk pocket, and both sides are experiencing moral problems from the intense combat.
‘Ukrainian forces have likely suffered desertions in recent weeks, however, Russian morale highly likely remains especially troubled,” officials with British military intelligence tweeted.