British intelligence predicts how Russia's capture of Lysychansk will affect battle for Donbas

The British Defense Ministry shared its report on Twitter.

British intelligence stated that the relatively quick capture of Lysychansk by Russia extended its control over almost the entire territory of the Luhansk region. This allowed the Kremlin to claim significant progress in achieving its declared political goal in the war with Ukraine, the full occupation of Luhansk region and Donetsk region.

"Unlike in previous phases of the war , Russia has probably achieved reasonably effective coordination between at least two Groupings of Forces, the Central Grouping likely commanded by General-Colonel Alexandr Lapin and the Southern Grouping probably under the recently appointed General Sergei Surovikin," the intelligence said.

At the same time, the British noted that the Ukrainian forces withdrew from Lysychansk in due order, in accordance with previously approved plans.

"The Ukrainian held areas of Severodonetsk - Lysychansk consisted of a bulge or salient which Russian could attack from three sides. There is a realistic possibility that Ukrainian forces will now be able to fall back to a more readily defendable, straightened front line. The battle for the Donbas has been characterised by slow rates of advance and Russia's massed employment of artillery, levelling towns and cities in the process. The fighting in Donetsk region will almost certainly continue in this manner," British intelligence concluded.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 5 July 2022

Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/NVYkvuvi87

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