Russia is making “incremental gains” in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region

Russia is gaining “incremental advances” in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas area, according to a senior US defense official, and Russian morale “remains a concern” for Moscow.

“We continue to get anecdotal evidence that morale and unit cohesiveness remains a concern,” the defense official added. “Soldiers who are not obeying commands, or who are not fighting as well or as forcefully as they are instructed or expected to — to the point that certain commanders refuse to heed orders.”

According to the source, these stories represent a limited story within the ranks, and it is not regarded to be a major issue impeding Russia’s success in Ukraine.

“It’s consistent with the types of unit cohesion and morale difficulties we’ve seen in the past,” the person continued.

Despite over three months of intensive warfare, Ukrainian forces are claimed to have “a very strong determination to fight there.”Once again, we don’t have complete insight into every unit,” the person continued, “but we’re not seeing the types of unit cohesion and morale problems…in the Ukrainian armed forces.” Russia continues to expand the number of battalion tactical groups deployed in Ukraine, with 105 units estimated to be operating at the moment.

“Ukrainian artillery is thwarting Russian efforts to make significant progress, including efforts to bridge the Donets River as they continue to seek a sense of momentum in the northern Donbas,” the officer continued. “Their ability to organize their forces…and hence stockpile reinforcements are being hampered by their failure to make some of those crossings.”

Moscow retains the “great bulk” of its available fighting force, however, it is unclear how much terrain in Ukraine is truly under Russian control, according to a senior defense official.