British intelligence: Russia will strengthen the offensive after controlling Mariupol
British intelligence, according to the daily report published by the country’s Ministry of Defense, indicates that Russia will strengthen operations in Donbasonce the troops have insured Mariupol. The report confirms data from Moscow that approximately 1700 Ukrainian soldiers have surrendered at the Azovstal steel factory. However, British intelligence admits that the number of Ukrainian military remains unknown in Azovstal.
London considers that the Russian troops in the area have to be “refitted and reconditioned to be redeployed effectively”, after they have had to face the “firm resistance” from Ukraine. This needs a process “dragged on“, but the pressure of the military commanders of demonstrate goals –after weeks of stagnation– will hinder the development of the phases of the war. “Russia will probably redeploy its forces quickly without proper preparationwhich poses a risk of increased wear of forces”.