UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 141 - JULY 10, 2022

The Russian armed forces are currently in the midst of an operational pause throughout Ukraine. This operational pause is largely marked by the regrouping of Russian troops to rest, refit, and reorganize, heavy artillery bombardments in critical areas to set the conditions for future ground advances, and limited reconnaissance attacks to identify Ukrainian vulnerabilities and structure appropriate tactical responses. As ISW has previously noted, an operational pause does not mean a complete halt to hostilities, but rather that the ongoing hostilities are more preparatory in nature.

The Russian armed forces conducted limited reconnaissance operations northwest of Slovyansk.

The Russian armed forces are likely intensifying artillery and missile strikes west of Bakhmut to isolate the city from critical ground lines of communication (GLOCs).

Russian forces carried out a limited and unsuccessful ground assault north of Donetsk.

The Russian military leadership continues to form ad-hoc volunteer units and combat groups of private military companies to support operations in Ukraine, some of which consist of older men and criminals.

The full Russian Offensive Update 141 can be found directly at UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR online