Since the start of May 2023, russia has increasingly ceded the initiative in the war and is reacting to Ukrainian action rather than actively progressing towards its own aims, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
During May 2023, russia has launched 20 nights of one-way-attack unmanned aerial vehicle and cruise missile attacks deep inside Ukraine.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Explained Smoke on Crimean Bridge on May 24
![The consequences of night attack on Kyiv, May 29 Defense Express The UK Defense Intelligence: russia Struggles to Reach its Own War Aims as it Reacts to Ukrainian Actions](/media/contentimages/a076476f67b1763d.jpeg)
Russia has had little success in its likely aims of neutralizing Ukraine’s improved air defences and destroying Ukrainian counterattack forces. On the ground, it has redeployed security forces to react to partisan attacks inside western russia.
![The Patriot SAM system fires a PAC3-MSE interceptor missile Defense Express The UK Defense Intelligence: russia Struggles to Reach its Own War Aims as it Reacts to Ukrainian Actions](/media/contentimages/9686476f6c108bef.jpg)
According to the UK Defense Intelligence, operationally, russian commanders are likely attempting to generate reserve forces and position them where they believe a Ukrainian counterattack will occur.
However, this has probably been undermined by uncommitted forces instead being sent to fill gaps in the front line around Bakhmut.
![Russian media report on fierce fighting with sabotage and reconnaissance group on the border and tanks moving to the territory of Grayvoron checkpoint, Belgorod region Defense Express The UK Defense Intelligence: russia Struggles to Reach its Own War Aims as it Reacts to Ukrainian Actions](/media/contentimages/e736476f79fe62c4.jpg)
As Defense Express reported, The UK Defense Intelligence: Russian Military Spending Equates to 4.1% of GDP.
![Drone in Moscow, May 30 Defense Express The UK Defense Intelligence: russia Struggles to Reach its Own War Aims as it Reacts to Ukrainian Actions](/media/contentimages/12c6476f7ac78055.jpg)
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