In the last four days, Russian and Wagner forces have made tactical advances into the small Donbas town of Soledar and are likely in control of most of the settlement.
(2 of 5)
Soledar is 10km north of Bakhmut, the capture of which likely continues to be Russiaβs main immediate operational objective.
(3 of 5)
Russiaβs Soledar axis is highly likely an effort to envelop Bakhmut from the north, and to disrupt Ukrainian lines of communication.
(4 of 5)
Part of the fighting has focused on entrances to the 200km-long disused salt mine tunnels which run underneath the district. Both sides are likely concerned that they could be used for infiltration behind their lines.
(5 of 5)
Despite the increased pressure on Bakhmut, Russia is unlikely to envelop the town imminently because Ukrainian forces maintain stable defensive lines in depth and control over supply routes.
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Between the 18-19 November 2023 Russia launched around 50 Iranian-designed Shahed one way-attack uncrewed aerial vehicles, primarily towards Kyiv. These were launched in waves on two axes β from the Kursk to the east, and from Krasnodar to the south-east. (1/4)
One of Russiaβs objectives was likely to degrade Ukraineβs air defences, to shape the battlespace ahead of any concerted winter campaign of strikes against Ukraineβs energy infrastructure. (2/4)
(1/5) As of late October 2023, large elements of the Wagner Group private military company had likely been assimilated into the command structure of Russiaβs National Guard (Rosgvardiya) and resumed active recruitment.
(2/5) This Wagner arm under Rosgvardiya is likely led by Pavel Prigozhin, son of the late Wagner owner Yevgeny Prigozhin.
(1/5) Over the past three weeks, Russia has likely lost around 200 armoured vehicles during its assaults on the Donbas town of Avdiivka.
(2/5) This is likely due to a combination of relative effectiveness of Ukraineβs modern hand-held anti-armour weapons, mines, uncrewed aerial vehicle-dropped munitions, and precision artillery systems.
(1/5) Recent Russian assaults in Avdiivka have contributed to a 90% increase in Russian casualties recorded by the Ukrainian MoD.
(2/5) Since February 2022, Russia has significantly increased its force footprint on the ground in Ukraine by intensifying recruitment using financial incentives and the partial mobilisation conducted in Autumn 2022.
The UK is committed to our relationship with the Philippines and weβre increasing our maritime engagement with the nation to support peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. Defence Minister Baroness Goldie visited the country this week (1/4)
HMS SPEY, part of our permanent presence in the region, has been taking part in Exercise SAMA SAMA, and the Minister visited the ship and met the crew onboard to find out about their experiences and cooperation with regional partners. (2/4)
Discussing Filipino priorities and shared security concerns, the Minister met with Philippine Navy and Coastguard. The Minister also met Secretary of National Defence Gilbert Teodoro, Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Arthuro Cordura and Rear Admiral Caesar Valencia. (3/4)
(1/6) Since suffering a series of strikes in August and September, the Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) has highly likely doubled down on its defensive and reactive posture.
(2/6) It has relocated many of its prestige assets β including cruise missile capable ships and submarines β from Sevastopol to operating and basing areas further east, such as Novorossiysk.