UK intelligence tells what replacement of Russian commander in Kherson direction means

The UK Ministry of Defense has reported this.

According to Russian state-backed media, the deputy commander of Russian troops in Ukraine, Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky, has probably personally taken over command of Russia's Dnipro grouping of forces. He replaced Colonel General Oleg Makarevich.

It is noted that the Dnipro group is responsible for the occupied areas of the Kherson region, including the eastern bank of the Dnipro River.

According to British intelligence, fighting has intensified in this area in recent weeks as the Ukrainian Defense Forces have contested Russian control of the river's eastern bank. 

According to British experts, Teplinsky is likely held in high regard by the Russian General Staff and has experience in commanding operations in the region, having been the officer on the ground responsible for Russia's relatively successful withdrawal from the western bank of the Dnipro River in November of 2022.

"It is almost certain that repelling Ukrainian attacks across the Dnipro and holding territory in the occupied Kherson Oblast remains a high priority objective for Russian forces in Ukraine. Teplinsky's appointment is likely an indication of increased pressure on Russian forces defending the area," the British intelligence suggests.

• The day before, ISW reported that the commander of the Airborne Forces Mikhail Teplinsky replaced Colonel General Oleg Makarevich as commander of the Russian Dnepr group of troops, which operated in the Kherson direction.