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       Putin is trying to create new Russian assault units, according to a US-based war monitoring think-tank.

       Russian military officials are reportedly “already actively recruiting” in an effort to build out their armed forces and break through layered defences, says the think-tank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

       The ISW noted that Russian outlet Izvestia, citing sources in the Russian military, claimed on September 25 that the new units will be comprised of assault troops intended to break through layered defences and reconnaissance troops that will conduct reconnaissance at “tactical depth.”

       Military reconnaissance is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations.

       It was noted by the ISW that each brigade will receive tanks, light armored vehicles, artillery, and various drones.

       However the ISW say it is “unclear” how Moscow will be able to recruit, train and staff the new recruits, given the “multitude of endemic mobilisation issues the Russian army faces at this time”.

       Recommended Belarus' top diplomat says he can't imagine his nation entering the war in Ukraine alongside Russia Destruction in Ukraine’s eastern village of Klishchiivka captured in aerial footage Canada's government calls on House speaker to resign over inviting a man who fought for a Nazi unit Explosions from Russian drone attack on Odesa region seen from ferry on Danube

       Key Points Putin allegedly planning new ‘assault units’ despite Moscow’s ‘mobilisation issues’ Overnight Russian airstrike damages Ukrainian port and injures two Ukrainian forces ‘occupying half of Verbove in counteroffensive breakthrough' Russia’s Black Sea fleet commander killed in Sevastopol missile strike, Ukraine claims

       Show latest update 1695725340 Putin allegedly trying to create new Russian ‘assault units’

       Putin is allegedly trying to create new Russian ‘assault units’ according to US based war monitoring think-tank.

       Russian military officials are reportedly ‘already actively recruiting’ in an effort to build out their armed forces and break through layered defences, says the think-tank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

       The ISW notes that Russian outlet Izvestia, citing sources in the Russian military, claimed on September 25 that the new units will be comprised of assault troops intended to break through layered defenses and troops that will conduct reconnaissance, or scouting, at “tactical depth.”

       It was reported by the ISW that each brigade will receive tanks, light armored vehicles, artillery, and various drones.

       The new brigades are designed to overcome prepared Ukrainian defensive positions, particularly in areas of Donbas - which Kyiv has been equipping for defence since 2014.

       Colonel Valery Yuryev, who is chairman of the Russian Union of Paratroopers, told Izvestia that the war had stressed the “need to have specialised units for storming fortified areas” and that “separate assault units and formations are necessary.”

       However the ISW say it is ‘unclear’ how Moscow will be able to recruit, train and staff the new recruits, given the “multitude of endemic mobilisation issues the Russian army faces at this time”.

       Athena Stavrou 26 September 2023 11:49

       1695787200 Latest pictures from the frontline in Ukraine

       The frontline in the Donetsk region

       (REUTERS)

       Ukrainian servicemen of the 10th separate mountain assault brigade 'Edelveis' of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fire a 2S1 Gvozdika self propelled howitzer towards Russian troops

       (REUTERS)

       Troops on the frontline in the Donetsk region

       (REUTERS)

       A soldier on the frontline in the Donetsk region

       (REUTERS)

       Martha Mchardy 27 September 2023 05:00

       1695783600 Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

       Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine has been raging for one year now as the conflict continues to record devastating casualties and force the mass displacement of millions of blameless Ukrainians.

       Vladimir Putin began the war by claiming Russia’s neighbour needed to be “demilitarised and de-Nazified”, a baseless pretext on which to launch a landgrab against an independent state that happens to have a Jewish president in Volodymyr Zelensky.

       Ukraine has fought back courageously against Mr Putin’s warped bid to restore territory lost to Moscow with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has continued to defy the odds by defending itself against Russian onslaughts with the help of Western military aid.

       Read more:

       Here’s why Putin really invaded Ukraine Vladimir Putin’s brutal military assault on sovereign neighbour continues in face of heavy losses and near-unanimous international condemnation

       Martha Mchardy 27 September 2023 04:00

       1695780000 ICYMI: Five Bulgarians appear in court charged with spying for Russia

       Five Bulgarians have appeared in court charged with spying and carrying out surveillance to assist the Russian state.

       The three men and two women are accused of conspiring to gather information that would be useful to an enemy between August 2020 and February this year.

       Orlin Roussev, 45, of Princes Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk; Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, of High Road, Harrow, north-west London; Katrin Ivanova, 31, of the same Harrow address; Ivan Stoyanov, 31, from Bannister Close, Greenford, west London; and Vanya Gaberova, 29, from Churchfield Road, Acton, west London, are charged with conspiring to collect information intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy for a purpose prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state between 30 August 2020 and 8 February 2023.

       Read more:

       Five Bulgarians appear in court charged with spying for Russia The five were part of a ‘network’ conducting surveillance on behalf of the Russian state, Westminster magistrates were told

       Martha Mchardy 27 September 2023 03:00

       1695776400 Watch: Explosions from drone attack in Ukraine seen from ferry on Danube crossing

       Explosions from drone attack in Ukraine seen from ferry on Danube crossing

       Martha Mchardy 27 September 2023 02:00

       1695772800 Watch: It was ‘deeply embarrassing’ to stand and applaud Nazi SS soldier, Trudeau says

       It was 'deeply embarrassing' to stand and applaud Nazi SS soldier, Trudeau says

       Martha Mchardy 27 September 2023 01:00

       1695769200 How Ukraine’s forces have surged back against Russia

       Ukraine’s forces have made a number of breakthroughs against Russian positions in recent weeks as intense fighting rages on in southern and northeastern parts of the country.

       The counteroffensive launched by Ukraine in June had been making gradual, if slow progress, in pushing back Vladimir Putin’s troops from land seized since the invasion began.

       But at the start of the month, there were signs that Kyiv’s troops were starting to make inroads, as they broke Russia’s first defensive line near Zaporizhzhia, in the southeast of the country.

       Joe Middleton reports:

       How Ukraine’s forces have surged back against Russia Ukraine’s counteroffensive makes progress amid continued intense fighting

       Martha Mchardy 27 September 2023 00:00

       1695765626 Watch: Ex-Ukraine president derides figure at centre of GOP’s Biden allegations

       Ex-Ukraine president derides figure at centre of GOP’s Biden allegations

       Martha Mchardy 26 September 2023 23:00

       1695762026 Watch: Destruction in Ukraine’s eastern village of Klishchiivka captured in aerial footage

       Destruction in Ukraine's eastern village of Klishchiivka captured in aerial footage

       Martha Mchardy 26 September 2023 22:00

       1695760226 Makeshift memorial displayed in Ukrainian capital

       A makeshift memorial with Ukrainian flags inscribed with the names of fallen service members has been put up in the country’s capital Kyiv.

       A relative places a Ukrainian flag with the name of a fallen service member at a makeshift memorial place at the Independence Square

       (REUTERS)

       (REUTERS)

       Martha Mchardy 26 September 2023 21:30

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       More about Ukraine Kyiv Vladimir Putin Russia Volodymyr Zelensky Crimea

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       1/ 1Putin planning new ‘assault units’ amid ‘mobilisation issues’ - live

       Putin planning new ‘assault units’ amid ‘mobilisation issues’ - live

       Firefighters battle the flames after Odesa region hit by Russian air strikes again

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