ISW: Russian command issued a “no retreat” order last week for all units serving in Donbas 

The Russian forces are likely attempting to conduct a more deliberate and controlled withdrawal in western Kherson Oblast to avoid the chaotic flight that characterized the collapse of Russian defensive positions in Kharkiv Oblast earlier this month, Report informs, citing the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

According to ISW, poor-quality proxy units of Russia have collapsed in some sectors of the front lines, allowing Ukrainian advances: “Ukrainian forces remain likely to regain much, if not all of western Kherson Oblast in the coming weeks if they continue to interdict Russian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) and press their advance.”

At the same time, the ISW said that the Russian command issued a “no retreat” order last week for all units serving in Donbas, requiring that Russian forces operating on the axis hold their positions regardless of the unfolding situation in front of them. This order suggests that the Russian military may fear a Ukrainian counteroffensive to the teeth of their last offensive efforts. And it shows a deep mistrust of the combat capabilities of the units.

Moreover, the ISW says that Russian President Vladimir Putin is increasingly relying on irregular volunteer and proxy forces rather than conventional units and formations of the Russian Federation Armed Forces.