British intelligence names Russia's goal to appoint new commander of western group of troops

According to British intelligence, the western group of Russian troops led by the new commander Yevgeniy Nikiforov will hold the area around Kreminna and Svatove. 

This is stated in the report of the military intelligence of the Ministry of Defenсe of Great Britain.

From February 24, Russia will change the command of the Western Military District for the fourth time, Lieutenant General Yevgeniy Nikiforov will become the new head. The intelligence service reminded that his predecessor, Sergei Kuzovlev, was appointed only three months ago. 

It is noted that the new commander Yevgeniy Nikiforov previously took an active part in planning the "disastrous" attempt of the western and eastern districts of the Russian troops to attack Kyiv through the Chornobyl zone.

According to the intelligence, the western military district is likely to be " tasked with holding Russia’s right flank, the area of Luhansk Oblast around Kremina and Svatove."

"As either side could plausibly attempt an offensive in this sector, Nikiforov assumes an important operational role in the conflict," the UK military intelligence stressed.

Experts added that the change of the command of the Russian troops indicates differences in the planning of combat operations of the Russian Defense Ministry.

• The change of the commander of the Western Military District of the Russian Army was previously reported by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. It noted that the formal reason for the dismissal of Nikiforov's predecessor was the failure of the Russian offensive in the Liman direction.