As reported by Sky News, military analysts said that Russia continues to deploy “elite” troops in weak front-line areas at the expense of future offensive operations.

The 7th Guards Airborne Division (Airborne Division) is the second elite division sent to reinforce “important areas” in Zaporizhzhia region after Ukraine said it recaptured the village of Robotyne, the Institute for the Study of War reports.

The 7th Airborne Division is now divided into at least two – possibly three – directions of the front.

Kadyrov has consistently deployed Akhmat units to perceived critical areas of the front line to gain the trust of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and recently deployed elements of the Akhmat special forces to the Klishchiivka area, south of Bakhmut, in response to Ukrainian advances in the area.

The increase in the frequency of their deployment in both offensive and defensive operations has “probably degraded” Russia’s elite infantry, according to a US think tank.

“The degradation of these forces is likely to weaken Russia’s ability to sustain complex defensive operations and will almost certainly hinder any Russian intentions to resume large-scale offensive operations that have relied primarily on elite infantry, which Russia currently lacks,” ISW said.

Relatively elite units were previously redeployed from the Kherson region to defend against a Ukrainian counteroffensive in Bakhmut, another example of Russia’s reliance on certain experienced soldiers.

The geolocated images were published on Friday confirms that Ukrainian forces have reached the northern outskirts of the city of Robotyne (10 km south of Orichov) in the western Zaporizhzhya region, although the stability and size of these positions are currently unknown.

Ukrainian counteroffensive operations attracted elite Russian units and units to the Bakhmut area and continue to pin them down there.

Russian troops also involved a significant number of forces in offensive operations in the Kupyansk and Svatovo areas, which are also aimed at withdrawing Ukrainian troops from the areas of Ukrainian counteroffensive operations.

Even if the Russian command decides to stop localized offensive actions in these areas, Russian forces will probably need some time to reduce the pace of their actions and move forces for redeployment to the side, without opening areas of the front to successful Ukrainian counterattacks.

• Ukrainian troops are advancing significantly in Zaporozhye: the Russian army is forced to redeploy forces to the side / Any breakthrough of Kyiv troops can be decisive

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