Russians mobilizing in newly occupied territories to strengthen offensive on Bakhmut, Luhansk governor says
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He believes that thus the invading forces are trying to boost their attack on Bakhmut.
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According to Hayday, having occupied the cities and villages of Luhansk Oblast, Russians initially claimed that forced mobilization would be carried out exclusively on the territories captured in 2014.
"However, men gradually started disappearing in Starobilsk, Bilovodsk, and even in the recently captured Severodonetsk and Lysychansk,” the official noted.
Read also: Russian reconnaissance group ‘neutralized’ in Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine still holds ground
“Some managed to tell their relatives that they were ‘going to Luhansk to do some errands’, but they are yet to return.”
When they started “running out of men” in the territories occupied eight years ago, they decided to extend forced mobilization to the entirety of Luhansk Oblast.
Read also: Russia pursuing scorched earth policy in Luhansk Oblast, governor says
"They even issued a corresponding decree the other day,” the regional governor stated.
“Got your ‘LPR’ passport – which were freely distributed on the streets in the spring and summer, left, right and center – then head to the frontline. That’s where the Russians are trying to intensify their attack on Bakhmut, so they are waiting for reinforcements in the infantry to reduce their own losses.”
Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
