Russia aims to seize more Ukrainian territory before winter freeze - Estonian Intelligence

ERR reports.

According to a report by the Estonian Armed Forces' General Staff, the Russian army continues to advance along the entire front line, with a frequency of about 176 attacks per day. The main hostilities are concentrated in a narrow area in the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk directions, where more than 60% of all clashes occur.

For example, on November 6, the Russian aggressor launched more than 90 attacks, indicating a high intensity of hostilities in the area. As a result, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are forced to gradually retreat. However, they are managing to hold their previously prepared defensive positions in the area of the Kurakhivske Reservoir.

Instead, Russia has increased its pressure from Vuhledar on the Kostiantynopil-Andriivka route. In the coming month, this could significantly complicate the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defensive actions on the southern approaches to Kurakhove.

Despite the high offensive activity, the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces remains organized, and the Russian forces suffer heavy losses. And if the current pace of hostilities continues, Russia's losses in November could be equal to those in October. 

Estonian intelligence attributes Russia's activity to a desire to seize as much territory as possible before frost.

To support the offensive, Russia is reducing mobilization requirements and increasing monetary rewards. Even people with hepatitis B and C are being drafted into the army, which effectively means that a significant number of drug addicts are being recruited into the war.

• On October 25, Deputy Commander of the Estonian Military Intelligence Center Janek Kesselmann said that in October the Russian army could have lost about 40,000 soldiers in Ukraine, both wounded and killed.