It is currently unclear whether Russia has sufficient front-line forces to counter a possible Ukrainian offensive aimed at de-occupying the Luhansk region. This assessment was made by the intelligence body of the British Ministry of Defense on Saturday.

 They note that with the advance of Ukrainian forces in the northeast, Russian troops established a defensive line between the Oskol River and the city of Svatove in the Luhansk region.

 "Russia probably considers maintaining control over this zone important, as it passes through one of the few major supply routes that the Russian Federation still controls from Belgorod Oblast," the review explains.

 In addition, the aforementioned line of defense runs along the border of Luhansk region, which Russia seeks to "liberate" as one of its immediate military objectives.

 "Any significant loss of territory in Luhansk will clearly undermine Russia's strategy," British intelligence emphasized.

 Therefore, Russia will probably try to defend the border, but "it is unclear whether the Russian forces at the front have sufficient reserves or sufficient morale to withstand another concerted offensive by Ukrainian forces."