UK intelligence: Russians switch to Donetsk region, but they need pause

Russia has taken control of most of Severodonetsk (Sieverodonetsk), and before proceeding to further offensive actions, Russian troops will need a pause, which may lead to the loss of some of the momentum gained over the past week.

This is stated in the British intelligence daily update posted on the UK Defence Ministry's official Twitter account, Caliber.Az reports.

"Russia has taken control of most of Sieverodonetsk. The main road into the Sieverodonetsk pocket likely remains under Ukrainian control, but Russia continues to make steady local gains, enabled by a heavy concentration of artillery. This has not been without cost, and Russian forces have sustained losses in the process," the update noted.

It added that "crossing the Siverskyy Donets River - which is a natural barrier to its axis of advance - is vital for Russian forces as they secure Luhansk Oblast and prepare to switch focus to Donetsk Oblast. Potential crossing sites include between Sieverodonetsk and the neighbouring town of Lysychansk; and near recently-captured Lyman. In both locations, the river line likely still remains controlled by Ukrainian forces, who have destroyed existing bridges".

"It is likely that Russia will need at least a short tactical pause to re-set for opposed river crossings and subsequent attacks further into Donetsk Oblast, where Ukrainian armed forces have prepared defensive positions. To do so risks losing some of the momentum they have built over the last week," the British intelligence said.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 2 June 2022

Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/Cgie1d3GJa

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— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) June 2, 2022