UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 351 - FEBRUARY 7, 2023

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu held a press conference on February 7 regarding the status of the war, likely in an attempt to portray the Russian Ministry of Defense as an effective and committed leadership apparatus as the Russian military prepares for a new major offensive in Ukraine.

Shoigu claims that the Russian armed forces are successfully advancing their operations near Bakhmut and Vuhledar, and that Russian troops have recently seized control of Soledar, Klischtschiwka, Pidhorodne, Krasnopolivka, Blahodatne, and Mykolaivka in the Bakhmut region and Lobkove in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Shoigu likely held this press conference to give the appearance of formality and legitimacy to the Russian Ministry of Defense as it continues its efforts to reform the Russian military, prepares for a new offensive, and sets the conditions for a prolonged engagement in Ukraine. ISW has previously noted that Russian authorities are preparing for an upcoming Russian offensive in Ukraine in the coming months, and that these preparations are also taking place at the strategic level with Russian command structures.

The full Russian Offensive Update 351 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

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