UK says Russian forces likely focusing on 'degrading' Ukrainian military not territory gains

Russian forces are likely focused on attempting to "degrade" the Ukrainian military rather than gain "substantial" new territory, the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) latest intelligence update said.

According to the intelligence, "in recent weeks, Russia has likely changed its approach again" in Ukraine following numerous "failed" approaches.

The Russian leadership is now "likely pursuing a long-term operation where they bank that Russia's advantages in population and resources will eventually exhaust Ukraine".

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"Its campaign now likely primarily seeks to degrade the Ukrainian military, rather than being focused on seizing substantial new territory," the MOD intelligence states.

The update highlighted the Russian force's "failed" approaches so far in Ukraine.

The intelligence noted: "On 24 February 2022, Russia pivoted to a new approach and launched a full-scale invasion which attempted to seize the whole country and depose its government.

"By April 2022, Russia realised this had failed, and focused on expanding and formalising its rule over the Donbas and the south. It has made slow and extremely costly progress."

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has again referred to Russia as being forced to adopt a "meat-grinder approach" after its forces failed to make a breakthrough in Ukraine.

Mr Wallace told Times Radio that the Russian army was suffering "huge losses" on the battlefield for very little gain in territory.

"It will move effectively to a meat-grinder approach where it just keeps sacrificing its own soldiers for the vanity of the Kremlin."

"That's why we see huge losses amongst the Russian army and only gains, where we see gains, in metres not miles", the Defence Secretary added.

The Defence Secretary said Russian forces in Ukraine will not be able to cope if Ukrainian troops can be trained to fight like a Nato army.

Mr Wallace spoke to Forces News at Bovington Camp in Dorset where he met with Ukrainian troops learning to operate British Challenger 2 tanks which are being donated to Ukraine.

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