In early December 2023, the newly-formed 104th Guards Airborne Division (104 GAD) of the VDV (russia’s airborne forces) highly likely suffered exceptionally heavy losses and failed to achieve its objectives during its combat debut in Kherson region, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
The operation took place after the division joined russia’s Dnipro Group of Forces and its attempt to dislodge the Ukrainian bridgehead near the village of Krynky on the east bank of the Dnipro. The 104th GAD was reportedly poorly supported by airpower and artillery, while many of the troops were highly likely inexperienced.
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Following the incident, russian ‘milbloggers’ called on the Dnipro Group of Forces Commander, Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky, to resign. This is a blow to Teplinsky’s reputation as one of the more capable russian field commanders of the war: in his routine role he is also commanding general of the VDV.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence: Ukraine Dominates Night-Time Warfare, While russia Suffers from Lack of Night Equipment
