ISW: Offensive Potential of Russian-Occupation Troops Continues to Decline

Russian occupiers are fighting along the entire frontline, but their offensive potential continues to decline, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports.

As noted, the invaders focus on distracting and dispersing Ukrainian troops to hinder counteroffensive operations

The analysts cite the 8 April statement by Council of Reservists of the Ukrainian Ground Forces Head Ivan Tymochko that Russian forces are not making serious advances anywhere on the frontline. Moreover, the pace of attacks in and around Bakhmut has slightly decreased in some areas and stagnated entirely in others.

The officer also assessed that the Russian offensive on Avdiivka has “choked” and reported that Russian forces still do not control Marinka despite having reduced the city to rubble.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia’s total combat losses from 24 February 2022 to 9 April 2023 approximately amounted to:

• About 178,150 personnel
• 3,636 tanks
• 7,024 armoured combat vehicles
• 2,740 artillery systems
• 533 MLRS
• 282 air defence systems
• 307 aircraft
• 292 helicopters
• 2,312 operational-tactical UAVs 
• 911 cruise missiles
• 18 ships/boats
• 5,602 vehicles and fuel tanks
• 309 special equipment units

The Ukrainian command reports that the fiercest fighting is currently underway in the city of Bakhmut, Donetsk region. Due to the huge losses among the PMC Wagner fighters, Russia began to throw elite units of its army – paratrooper units – into this section of the front.

Bohdan Marusyak