ISW: Russian troops reinforce offensive operations in Ukraine

Some Russian milbloggers continue to complain about the alleged restriction of information about Russian military failures, US-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted in its daily Russian offensive campaign assessment.

Russian milblogger criticized an unspecified associate of Russian Lieutenant General Andrey Sychevoy, who was reportedly recently dismissed from a command position for military failures near Bakhmut, for causing Russian forces (presumably near Bakhmut) to suffer 1,500 casualties in September 2023, Caliber.Az reports citing analysts.

The milblogger also criticized the broader Russian military command for communication failures and forcing injured personnel back into combat.

The milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces have crossed the railway line south of Bakhmut in some places and complained that only one major milblogger has discussed this issue, underlining the fact that many milbloggers restrict their presentation of negative information about Russian capabilities.

Another milblogger, who previously claimed to censor all but 10-20 per cent of the “sad” information they receive, claimed that the first milblogger’s complaints provide a glimpse into the 80-90 per cent of unreported information, yet criticized other Russian milbloggers for consistently claiming that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has failed.

Key Takeaways:

• Russia likely deployed elements of at least two Central Military District (CMD) brigades to reinforce offensive operations by Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) forces on the Avdiivka front.
• Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast on October 16.
• A new Russian procedure restricting the border checkpoints that Ukrainians can use to enter Russia from third countries came into force on October 16, effectively only allowing Ukrainians to enter Russia from third countries through the Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow.