Senior US defense officials believe that Russian battalion tactical groups may be understaffed.

This is stated in the CNN article.

They emphasize that Russia could deploy fewer units on the frontline than previously thought.

The official said that many of the existing units organized by Russia into battalion tactical groups (BTG) are deployed below strength, some even at half of their normal organizational manpower.

In addition, according to officials who were familiar with the intelligence data, the United States believes that Ukraine’s forces have begun “shaping” operations in the south of the country.

This is standard military practice in striking weapons systems, command and control posts, ammunition depots and other targets. It is used to prepare the battlefield for the planned offensive.

Previously, the Task Force “Kakhovka” reported that after the active successful combat work of the HIMARS missile systems, the Russians remained cut off from the supply of weapons and personnel from the territory of the occupied Crimea.

At the same time, the Head of the Joint Coordination Press Center of the defense forces of the south of Ukraine, Natalia Humeniuk, said that the invaders concentrated quite powerful forces on the right bank of the Dnieper in the south.

“They have been pulling forces there for quite some time, gathered with their military reserves, equipment, extra ammunition, and so on. But our previous actions, what we called fire control of enemy logistics, gave their results. Depots with ammunition, concentrations of military equipment and air defense systems were destroyed. It’s all definitely weakened the enemy, but we don’t have empty hopes, understanding that the enemy is quite powerful,” she said.

Humeniuk also emphasized that there is a certain moral decline among Russian troops, but “it’s too early to relax.”