According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), it is highly likely that three Russian brigades suffered significant casualties during Ukraine‘s liberation of Klishchiivka and Andriivka, located south of Bakhmut. This evaluation is based on information obtained from Ukrainian military sources, who stated that these three brigades were rendered “combat ineffective”.
The 72nd Motorised Rifle Brigade (3rd Army Corps), the 31st Guards VDV Brigade, and the 83rd Guards VDV Brigade are the three Russian brigades identified.
The think tank further noted that a Russian commander confirmed the death of the commander of the VDV brigade.ISW analysts said: said: “If recent Ukrainian advances south of Bakhmut resulted in the destruction of the 31st and 83rd VDV brigades’ combat capabilities, then the Russian command will likely laterally redeploy elements of another relatively elite formation to maintain critical elements of the Russian defence south of Bakhmut.
“Lateral redeployments from elsewhere in Ukraine or substantial tactical redeployments of other VDV elements in the Bakhmut area would therefore indicate that recent Ukrainian advances have resulted in significant Russian losses.”
NEWS CREDIT
