Amid heightened strains, Russia relocates pivotal offices and escalates defenses, foreshadowing a Ukrainian offensive.
As tensions escalate in the Zaporizhzhya region, Ukrainska Pravda, referencing British defense intelligence, observes amplified Russian defensive strategies surrounding the town of Tokmak. Merely 16 kilometers from the existing frontline, Tokmak is witnessing a surge in military mobilization. Consequently, Russian troops are setting up augmented checkpoints, anti-tank defenses, and excavating fresh trenches in the vicinity.
From the intelligence gathered, there’s an emerging consensus that Tokmak’s significance in Russia’s tactical blueprint is on the rise. British defense analysis conjectures that this bolstering of defense is a counteraction to the Ukrainian military’s recent advancements. As per Ukrainska Pravda, in the preceding weeks, Ukrainian troops have made commendable strides in their campaign against Tokmak, positioning the town as a pivotal blockade en route to the city of Melitopol.
Russians shift operations deeper from the combat zone.
In another noteworthy development reported by Ukrainska Pravda, the Russian “occupation passport office” has been relocated from Tokmak to Melitopol. Accompanying this move, Russian FSB personnel and segments of the occupying administration have also been shifted. Such rearrangements hint at potential doubts regarding the sustainability of Russian dominion in the area.
Image: Mil.ru, Release of officers of the Air force Academy in Voronezh (2019-06-29) 11, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, (no changes made)