Russia moves elite units from Pokrovsk south — ISW
Photo: Russian military (GettyImages)
The Russian military command has redeployed elite airborne and naval infantry units to the southern sector of the front following the successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Redeployment of troops from the Pokrovsk direction
According to analysts, Russian forces withdrew some units from the Pokrovsk direction and the Dobropillia area in eastern Ukraine.
These units were likely redeployed to the southern front line after Ukrainian activity intensified in the Zaporizhzhia region and Dnipropetrovsk region directions.
ISW believes the decision is linked to recent successes by the Ukrainian army, which forced Russian command to urgently reinforce the most vulnerable sections of the front.
How Russia responds to Ukrainian counterattacks
The report notes that similar tactics have been used before. Russian command has repeatedly redeployed "relatively elite" naval infantry units to priority sectors in response to Ukrainian counterattacks.
In particular, such movements were recorded during fighting in the Kursk region direction in August 2024, as well as in the Dobropillia area in September 2025.
Reinforcement of the southern front
ISW believes that the redeployment of Pacific Fleet naval infantry to southern Ukraine is likely linked to ongoing Ukrainian counterattacks in Zaporizhzhia region and Dnipropetrovsk region. These actions by the Ukrainian army began in late January and continued in early February 2026.
Role of the 76th Airborne Division
Analysts also recalled that Russia has previously used the redeployment of elements of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division to respond to critical situations on the front line.
"The redeployment of the 76th VDV Division elements to southern Ukraine likely was not a reaction to Ukraine's counterattacks in Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, as the counterattacks occurred later, though these VDV elements are now all the same involved in responding to the Ukrainian counterattacks that began in late January and early February 2026," ISW concluded.
We remind that Defense Minister’s adviser Serhii Beskrestnov stated that Russian occupation forces have begun to massively use inexpensive reconnaissance drones based on the Molniya UAV, which are used as a more affordable alternative to expensive strike drones.
It is also worth noting that the Russian army has received orders to move as close as possible to Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia region and entrench on the approaches to the city.
