British intel: Russia may increase intensity of its offensive efforts on Kupiansk-Lyman axis

British Defence Ministry says there is a realistic possibility Russia will increase the intensity of its offensive efforts on the Kupiansk-Lyman axis in the next two months.

The Ukrainian counter-offensive has put Russian forces under pressure in Bakhmut and southern Ukraine, the ministry said in a daily report, according to Caliber.Az.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 26 August 2023

Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/S2gIiCffTK

🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/Z3JuKMXE3U

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) August 26, 2023

Despite this, Russia’s Western Group of Forces has continued small-scale attacks in the northeast, in the Kupiansk-Lyman sector, and has made some limited local advances.

As Ukraine continues to gradually gain ground in the south, Russia’s doctrine suggests that it will attempt to regain the initiative by pivoting back to an operational-level offensive. Kupiansk-Lyman is one potential area for this.

There is a realistic possibility Russia will increase the intensity of its offensive efforts on the Kupiansk-Lyman axis in the next two months, probably with the objective of advancing west to the Oskil River and creating a buffer zone around Luhansk Oblast.