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The Russian occupation forces are accelerating offensive operations along the entire frontline, while attempting to minimize the anticipated increase in losses in manpower and equipment.
This is stated in a new report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, stated that Ukraine expects Russian offensive operations to intensify in late spring and early summer. ISW analysts recall that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously mentioned that the main Russian offensive efforts could commence in late May or June.
«ISW has recently observed that Russian forces have accelerated the pace of their offensive operations across the theatre, including a company-level mechanised attack towards Chasiv Yar on April 4th, and continues to assess that the Russian military appears to be mitigating likely increased losses in manpower and equipment», — the report states.
Zelenskyy and senior Ukrainian military officials recently warned that delays in security assistance have forced Ukraine to cede the initiative on the battlefield to Russia, emphasizing that the Ukrainian military cannot plan a successful counteroffensive or defense without knowing when and what kind of assistance Ukraine will receive.
ISW continues to assess that the delays in Western military aid «are forcing the Defence Forces to make difficult decisions about prioritizing certain aspects of defense at the expense of fighting the initiative to limit Russian military capabilities or planning future counter-offensive operations as the long-running debate in the US over military aid continues».
As reported, as of the morning of April 8th, the losses of Russian troops and their mercenaries in Ukraine amounted to about 448,400. Over the past day, Ukrainian defenders neutralized at least 890 Russian occupiers.