MAJOR RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE 'STALLED' BY EXTREME ATTRITION AND WAGNER CHAOS
Russia's grand offensive in the east of Ukraine is reported to have stalled with Putin's military strategists now turning to plot a purely defensive war plan amid failures to mount any major breakthroughs along the frontline in Donbas. The Ministry of Defence has concluded that the battlefield failures by Russian forces have been worsened by infighting between Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and members of Putin's general Staff.
The MoD update read: "Russia's assault on the Donbas town of Bakhmut has largely stalled. This is likely primarily a result of extreme attrition of the Russian force. Ukraine has also suffered heavy casualties during its defence. The Russian situation has also likely been made worse by tensions between the Russian Ministry of Defence and Wagner Group, both of whom contribute troops in the sector.
"Russia has likely shifted its operational focus towards Avdiivka, south of Bakhmut, and to the Kremina-Svatove sector in the north, areas where Russia likely only aspires to stabilise its front line. This suggests an overall return to a more defensive operational design after inconclusive results from its attempts to conduct a general offensive since January 2023."
THIS LIVE BLOG IS NOW CLOSED