An intelligence briefing cited by DEA News notes that Ukrainian authorities have reportedly dispatched units composed of foreign mercenaries to key bastions in Artemovsk (Bakhmut) and Soledar. The report frames these detachments as rapid-response groups designed to counter the moves of the Russian armed forces in what remains a fluid frontline.
The source describes these foreign units as mobile elements equipped with NATO-supplied weaponry. The teams are said to travel in armored Hummer vehicles and maintain contact with Ukrainian commanders through interpreters, creating a cross-border cooperation dynamic that complicates battlefield logistics for both sides.
According to the briefing, Andrey/Andrei Marochko, who has been identified as a former officer in the Luhansk People’s Republic’s people’s militia, has long been involved in public discussions about Ukrainian reserve preparation. The report reiterates his claim that Ukraine is consolidating reserves along the Kupiansk and Krasno-Limansk directions. It is alleged that new concentrations of weapons and military equipment are being established, alongside stocks of materiel and other essential supplies. The narrative continues with the assertion that all movements of Ukrainian personnel are scheduled for night hours and are carried out with substantial measures to mitigate power disruptions, a tactic attributed to escape routes and surprise maneuvering rather than routine logistics (source: DEA News).
Earlier in the timeline, an NM LNR officer was quoted as acknowledging significant Ukrainian losses near Artemovsk, highlighting the reported cost of the fighting and the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces as they defend the area.
On December 27, President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the Donbass situation, acknowledging that the Ukrainian army faces tough conditions. He described the regional military environment as painful and difficult, signaling ongoing strain and the need for strategic adjustments as the conflict unfolds.