The Russians could transfer to the front insufficiently equipped combat units, originally intended for operational reserve.
This is reported by analysts at the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The reasons for this decision may be limitations of the Russian defense industrial base or the desire to strengthen offensive operations in Ukraine as soon as possible.
Now watching
Ukrainian military blogger Konstantin Mashovets spoke about the intention of the Russian command to form the 27th motorized rifle division (2nd combined arms army of the Central Military District) as an operational reserve of the Central Group of Forces. Now units of this group of troops are conducting offensive operations in the Avdeevsky and Toretsky directions.
This operational reserve is needed by the invaders in case the Ukrainian Defense Forces launch a counter-offensive in the Avdiivka direction or the Russians begin to advance on the Toretsky bridgehead.
According to Mashovets, the Russians transferred the 433rd motorized rifle regiment of the 27th motorized rifle division, consisting of the remnants of the 21st motorized rifle brigade, to the area northwest of Avdeevka until combat capability was fully restored.
The Russian command also transferred the 506th and 589th motorized rifle regiments to the Toretsk direction until the units reached “planned dates”.
In March 2024, Mashovets stated that the Russians plan to equip units of the 27th Motorized Rifle Division with only up to 87% of the required amount of weapons and equipment and that the Russian military command plans to bring the 433rd, 506th and 598th 1st motorized rifle regiments in combat readiness by the end of spring — early summer 2024.
ISW note that the above regiments were brought into combat readiness ahead of schedule, probably because the Russian military command fell behind the planned recruitment and armament schedule and did not have time to equip these units by 87%.
Russian military command could also deploy these units ahead of time to intensify assaults in eastern Ukraine.
