UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 294 - DECEMBER 12, 2022

The Russian armed forces continue to reshape and consolidate their force composition in eastern Ukraine to strengthen defense against ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensives near the border with the Kharkiv-Luhansk region and support limited offensive efforts in the Donetsk region.

An independent Ukrainian analysis organization, the Center for Defense Strategies, determined on December 12 that the Russians are centralizing and systematizing the command of the troops of the Western Military District (WMD) towards Kharkiv-Luhansk. The Center found that the 20th Army of the WMD is currently operating in this area in three general groupings: elements of the 144th Motorized Rifle Division near Svatove; elements of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division on the Kreminna-Rubizhne line; and elements of the 18th Motorized Rifle Division of the 11th Army Corps in the northwestern Luhansk area at Troitske. Army Corps (troops of the Donetsk or Luhansk People's Republics), the 76th Air Assault Division, and the 106th Airborne Division, as well as up to three BARS units (Combat Reserve) totaling 15 to 17 battalions in this general area. These troop concentrations are likely significantly degraded and inferior in strength.

The full Russian Offensive Update 294 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

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