Invaders may seize Lysychansk in coming days, offensive on Slovyansk continues, US think tank says
According to ISW’s information, Russian air defense systems in eastern Ukraine limit the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones, forcing the Armed Forces of Ukraine to reduce their air operations to 20-30 sorties per day.
However, Ukraine's air force has still managed to carry out several successful strikes against hostile targets in the Kherson Oblast over the past week, the ISW said.
Citing Russian sources, the ISW reports that “Russian troops lack the numbers and strength to succeed in the fighting in Ukraine.” The Russian leadership continues to carry out coercive partial mobilization efforts that are only producing limited numbers of replacements, while negatively impacting the morale and discipline of the forcibly mobilized personnel, the U.S. think tank said.
Read also: Ukraine’s army looks to launch counteroffensive near Izyum to discourage attack on Slovyansk — ISW
The invaders are continuing their assault south of Lysychansk and will probably capture the city in the coming days, but it is unlikely that they will swiftly take control of the Severodonetsk-Lysychansk area, the ISW said.
Meanwhile, the invaders are continuing their offensive operations against the town of Slovyansk, but have made little progress.
Russian invasion forces have stepped up their efforts to cut off Ukrainian communication lines on the T1302 Bakhmut-Lysychansk highway in order to support their operations towards Lysychansk.
Read also: Russia inches towards Lysychansk in Luhansk Oblast
The Russians have concentrated on defensive operations along the Southern Axis and may have made slight progress within Mykolaiv Oblast.
Meanwhile, the authorities of the Russian Federation continue to take measures to promote the economic integration of the occupied territories, the ISW said.
