Over the last four days, elements of russia’s 72nd Separate Motor Rifle Brigade (72 SMRB) likely withdrew in bad order from their positions on the southern flank of the Bakhmut operation. Ukrainian forces regained at least a kilometer of territory, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
The area has some tactical significance because it was a russian bridgehead on the western side of the Donets-Donbas Canal, which marks the front line through parts of the sector.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Says russian Authority Have a Fears That Ukraine Could Achieve a Major Breakthrough
The 72 SMRB is an element of russia’s 3rd Army Corps, a formation created in autumn 2023 and dogged with allegations of poor morale and limited combat effectiveness.
According to the UK Defense Intelligence, its deployment to such a demanding and operationally important sector highlights russia’s severe shortage of credible combat units.
As Defense Express previously reported, The UK Defense Intelligence: Russian Military Expands Controversial Recruitment Scheme with Prisoners.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence: Water Scarcity Worsens in russian-Occupied Donetsk Despite Attempted Remedies
