ISW: Shoigu's Favourite Units Defeated On Zaporizhzhia Front

The Ukrainian armed forces have reduced their combat capabilities to almost zero.

The combat capabilities of the Russian units, which are constantly fighting in the Orikhiv direction (Zaporizhzhia region), have deteriorated significantly. They can no longer conduct counterattacks and resist the Ukrainian breakthrough, says a new report by the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The analysts point out that during a recent conference call with the Russian military leadership, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu singled out a strange group of Russian armed formations operating in the west of Zaporizhzhia region.

In particular, Shoigu attributed successful Russian defensive operations around Robotyne and Verbove to units of the 70th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment, the 56th Airborne Brigade, the 56th Airborne Army, the 56th Airborne Assault Regiment and others. At the same time, Shoigu did not single out other formations that are usually credited with holding the Robotyne-Verbove line, such as the 108th and 247th Regiments (7th Airborne Division).

"ISW assesses that the participation of the 70th Guards Motorised Rifle Regiment in the counterattacks indicates that the combat capabilities of active units of the 7th Airborne Division have significantly deteriorated and that these Airborne elements can no longer conduct all counterattacks along the entire Ukrainian breakthrough into the Orikhiv direction," the report says.

Analysts note that some of the formations that Shoigu has singled out have consistently counterattacked at the Robotyne-Verbove line to their own detriment.

"Shoigu's choice of units may indicate that he seeks to single out Russian commanders who continue to follow orders from the Russian military leadership regarding relentless counterattacks," ISW suggests.