Russian soldiers being rushed into action to help over-stretched forces, UK defence intelligence says

Russian soldiers are being pushed into action prematurely because the armed forces are being over-stretched by the Ukrainian counter-offensive, according to an intelligence report by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Members of Moscow's 25th Combined Arms Army (25 CAA) were not due to have seen combat until December according to recent recruitment adverts.

However, the MOD said the unit had most probably already been deployed in Luhansk Oblast in eastern Ukraine.

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Posting on social network site X, the MOD said: "It is likely that units have been rushed into action early partly because Russia continues to grapple with an over-stretched force along the front and Ukraine continues its counter-offensive on three different axes."

It suggested Russian military officials could also use the 25CAA "to regenerate an uncommitted reserve force in the theatre to provide commanders with more operational flexibility".

According to Western officials, Ukraine's counter-offensive has been slower than expected, but is nevertheless making incremental and methodical progress.

The Ukrainian counter-offensive officially began in early June, with troops currently attacking Russia on three different axes.