Russia may have started saving shells on the southern front

The Russian occupiers probably want to save artillery shells on the southern front and are trying to spare them.

This is reported with reference to British Intelligence data.

The intelligence noted that over the past week, both the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Russians have made minor progress in various parts of the front. The occupiers tried to advance in the area of Kreminna, while Ukrainian defenders concentrated their main efforts in the area of Bakhmut. Russian forces there are "likely fragile but holding for now," the intelligence adds.

Russian troops also continue to attempt localized offensives in the south of Donetsk region, particularly near Avdiivka. But they are not having much success there.

"In the south, Ukraine continues to attack on at least two axes, but is unlikely to have yet broken into Russia’s primary defensive lines. In this area, Russia has likely implemented a shell-rationing regime for artillery in an attempt to preserve its critical indirect fire capability," the intelligence adds.

It is emphasized that in Kherson region, Ukrainian military hold a small bridgehead on the left bank. This is an additional problem for the Russian command, which is probably concerned about the vulnerability of its southwestern flank.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 18/07/2023