The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 8 February that the Russian military command may be executing a significant redeployment of forces in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast from the Kurakhove direction toward Toretsk on 8 February.
According to a Russian source cited by ISW, this movement involves elements of multiple units from the 150th Motorized Rifle Division, including the 102nd and 103rd motorized rifle regiments, 163rd Tank Regiment, and 381st Artillery Regiment.
The reported redeployment also includes elements of the 96th regiment, which ISW notes may be part of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division, though they haven’t previously documented this unit’s operations in Ukraine.
Another Russian source indicated that elements of the 102nd and 103rd motorized rifle regiments were operating near Dachne as of 8 February.
ISW notes that this potential redeployment of 8th Guards Combined Arms Army elements to the Toretsk direction, combined with increased Russian activity in the Chasiv Yar direction, could indicate Russian command’s intention to prioritize advances toward Kostiantynivka and pressure Ukraine’s fortress belt in 2025.
Related:
- Frontline report: Russian forces suffer tremendous losses due to poor planing in failed Donetsk offensive
- Ukrainian 28th brigade downs Russian Su-25 in Donetsk Oblast in rare interception
- Frontline report: Ukrainian raids stop Russian breakthrough at Toretsk
- Russian forces inch closer to Pokrovsk amid reduced assault intensity
- Russians and Ukrainians advance near Donetsk’s Pokrovsk