Russian proxies in occupied Donbas being trained in assault crossing of water obstacles – intelligence

Russian occupation forces have been increasing their combat capabilities in eastern Ukraine and are now training to deploy pontoon crossings as part of offensive drills.

That’s according to the press service of the Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate, Ukrinform reports.

"The command of the Russian Armed Forces keeps increasing combat capabilities of the operational group of Russian occupation troops in the temporarily occupied territory in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, intelligence officials reported on Facebook.

In certain units of Russia-led occupation forces, field exercises were held involving artillery spotters; pontoon crossing deployment was worked out as part of training in assault crossing of water obstacles; as well as live-fire drills of artillery units working out offensive action, the report elaborated.

Intelligence analysts note intensified preparations by enemy forces for sabotage and reconnaissance operations. At the enemy's front line positions, the Ukrainian military spotted the increased number of reconnaissance troops and sniper pairs, who recently underwent special training in Russian military facilities in Rostov region.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the command of the Russian Armed Forces is setting up in the temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions new training grounds, shooting ranges, and tank tracks, where Russian proxy forces are set to be trained in July.

Since early July, the Russian command has been extensively inspecting the units of their grouping in the temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

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