Russian Recruitment Plunges, Forcing Moscow to Deploy Raw Recruits Early

The battle for Li-man has become a focal point of Russia’s offensive, as Moscow seeks to cut off Ukrainian supply lines and encircle the town. Russian forces are attempting to strike from the north and east simultaneously, hoping to overextend defenders and achieve a decisive breakthrough. Their operational goal is not just the town itself, but also to control the surrounding area, threatening supply routes to Siversk and creating conditions to encircle Slovyansk and Kramatorsk. However, severe manpower shortages and minimal training among newly recruited soldiers are increasingly undermining Russian efforts. Ukrainian defenses, reinforced with experienced brigades and persistent reconnaissance, continue to detect and repel assaults before they can achieve any significant gains. The outcome in Li-man now hinges on whether Russia can overcome its personnel limitations before seasonal conditions stall their offensive momentum entirely.

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