Russian forces recently executed four limited mechanized assaults across multiple axes in Donetsk Oblast, likely aiming to test Ukrainian defensive reactions, as reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The ISW detailed that these assaults involved reduced-company-sized mechanized units attacking from various operational directions in Donetsk Oblast. These attacks appear to be an effort to probe Ukrainian responses following the initial wave of the Russian offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast.
Despite these efforts, the ISW noted that Russian forces have not achieved significant advances. Footage from May 27 and 28 shows Russian forces conducting reinforced platoon-sized mechanized attacks east of Chasiv Yar and east of Novopokrovske (northwest of Avdiivka), as well as roughly company-sized mechanized assaults near Novomykhailivka (southwest of Donetsk City) and in Staromayorske (south of Velyka Novosilka).
The ISW report stated that Russian forces made only marginal advances in the attacks east of Novopokrovske and in Staromayorske and did not achieve confirmed progress near Chasiv Yar or Novomykhailivka.
The ISW suggested that Russian forces have decreased the tempo of their attacks in northern Kharkiv Oblast while increasing their activity in the Pokrovsk (Avdiivka) direction recently.
The report concluded that the May 27 and 28 attacks were likely intended to evaluate Ukrainian forces' reactions and defensive capabilities in the Donetsk direction. It also noted that the recent Russian offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast likely aimed to exploit perceived Ukrainian shortages in manpower and materiel before anticipated Western military assistance reached the frontline, thereby potentially creating exploitable opportunities for Russian forces elsewhere on the Donetsk Oblast frontline.
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