UK intelligence: Withdrawal of Russian forces from positions near Bakhmut speaks of army problems

The withdrawal of the Russian military from positions near Bakhmut indicates problems in the Russian army. In particular, the lack of reliable combat units, Report informs referring to the UK Defense Ministry’s Twitter page.

“Over the last four days, elements of Russia’s 72nd Separate Motor Rifle Brigade (72 SMRB) likely withdrew in bad order from their positions on the southern flank of the Bakhmut operation. Ukrainian forces regained at least a kilometer of territory.

The area has some tactical significance because it was a Russian bridgehead on the western side of the Donets-Donbas Canal, which marks the front line through parts of the sector,” reads the report.

“72 SMRB is an element of Russia’s 3rd Army Corps, a formation created in Autumn 2023 and dogged with allegations of poor morale and limited combat effectiveness. Its deployment to such a demanding and operationally important sector highlights Russia’s severe shortage of credible combat units.”