Blockade of Azovstal likely indicates a plan to free up Russian forces, UK says
Heavy shelling and combat continue in the eastern Donbas as part of Russia’s plans to move forward in the region
Putin's decision to blockade the Azovstal steel factory reflects a determination to suppress Ukrainian opposition in Mariupol and “free up Russian forces to be deployed elsewhere in eastern Ukraine,” the British defense ministry said in an intelligence report.
The ministry said landing an attack on the facility would very certainly result in heavy Russian casualties, severely reducing the country's overall fighting efficiency.
Heavy shelling and combat continue in the eastern Donbas as Russia aims to move farther into settlements such as Krasnyy Lyman, Buhayikva, Barvinkove, Lyman, and Popasna.
“Despite Russia’s renewed focus they are still suffering from losses sustained earlier in the conflict,” the Mod said. “In order to try and reconstitute their depleted forces, they have resorted to transiting inoperable equipment back to Russia for repair.”
