Putin most likely replaced commander of Dnepr grouping of forces in Kherson region - ISW

That's according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrinform reports.

"The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has not announced or confirmed reports of Makarevich's dismissal at the time of this publication and is unlikely to do so given its tendency to regularly conceal high-profile military command changes," the report said.

According to ISW analysts, one Russian blogger claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Makarevich during his recent visit to the Southern Military District (SMD) headquarters in Rostov-on-Don on October 19. The blogger also claimed that Teplinsky was effectively demoted from his position as deputy overall theater commander, although it is unclear if Teplinsky still held this position.

Makarevich's reported dismissal indicates that the Kremlin or the Russian military command may be sufficiently worried and skeptical of his ability to repel recent larger-than-usual Ukrainian ground operations in east (left) bank Kherson region. The Kremlin-affiliated milblogger claimed that a small Ukrainian 'bridgehead" in Krynky (a settlement on east bank Kherson region) likely triggered Makarevich's removal. Other Russian milbloggers reiterated similar theories, claiming that Makarevich's negligence and extreme lack of command initiative enabled repeated Ukrainian landings on east bank Kherson region. One milblogger claimed that Ukrainian "bridgeheads" on east bank Kherson region are setting a dangerous precedent and that Russian forces under Makarevich's command were unable to adequately counter and respond to Ukrainian threats.

The ISW believes that Makarevich's opponents, alternatively, may have been successful in convincing Putin of Makarevich's failure to command the Kherson direction against the backdrop of intensified Ukrainian ground attacks.

A Wagner Group-affiliated milblogger claimed that Makarevich was removed from his position after unspecified intelligence officials notified the Russian "high command" - possibly implying Putin - about Makarevich's failure to provide accurate information about the situation in the area of his responsibility.

In addition, according to the Institute, Ukrainian forces advanced near Bakhmut amid continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhzhia region on October 29. Geolocated footage published on October 29 indicates that Ukrainian forces advanced over the railway line south of Andriivka (10km southwest of Bakhmut).

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Avdiivka but did not make confirmed advances on October 29. A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces are preparing to attack the Avdiivka Coke Plant immediately north of Avdiivka.

Geolocated footage published on October 29 indicated that Russian forces advanced south of Krasnohorivka (directly west of Donetsk City).