Ukraine: Russia commits new 25th Combined Arms Army to action for first time, UK intelligence says

Russia has been committing elements of its new 25th Combined Arms Army (25 CAA) to action for the first time, according to the latest UK intelligence.

The Ministry of Defence's (MOD) update also revealed that members of the formation started to go into Ukraine as early as late August, even though 25 CAA was not due to have seen combat until December, according to recruitment adverts.

Posting on social media site X, the MOD said: "Since the start of the invasion, Russia has only rarely maintained an uncommitted army-size grouping which could potentially form the basis of a major new offensive thrust."

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The 25 CAA is being moved "piecemeal" to "reinforce the over-stretched line", making a brand new Russian offensive "less likely" over the coming weeks, the MOD said.

"Units from two of 25 CAA's manoeuvre components, 67th Motor Rifle Division and 164th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, are reported to be fighting on the front in a sector west of Severodonetsk and Kreminna, along the border between Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts," the intelligence said.

Ukraine's counter-offensive, which began in the summer, has been gaining incremental and methodical progress at a slower-than-expected pace, Western officials believe.

The Ukrainian counter-offensive officially began in early June, with troops currently attacking Russia on three different axes.