ISW: Russia has failed to prepare for an effective offensive
The unpreparedness of Russian troops in particular is reflected in the tactical failures of the Russians at Ugledar.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is sceptical about the prospects of a large-scale Russian offensive in the Donetsk region under the current state of the Russian armed forces in a daily briefing.
The ISW reported:
Russian commanders are deploying the most elite units near Bakhmut in small groups, using infiltration tactics into the city. This could ensure a significant advance by Russian forces if Ukrainian forces decide to retreat from Bakhmut.
The ISW notes that in the previous stages of the war, all Russian units had become inoperable and their personnel were most likely rebuilt at the expense of the mobilized ones. At the same time, experts estimate that the Russian military failed to train the mobilized fighters to conduct effective offensive operations.