Russia’s armed forces will not stay on the defensive forever. They require fresh units to sustain offensive operations, especially as the war drags on. In a conversation with Pravda.Ru, military analyst Vasily Dandykin commented on the Russian Ministry of Defense’s plan to form reserve units. He noted that Russian forces have not yet secured full control over Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, and other towns in Donbass, which underlines the ongoing need for capable reserves to respond to evolving battlefield conditions. Dandykin stressed that reserves are essential not just in terms of personnel but also in terms of equipment and mobility, a point he emphasized while discussing the broader strategic picture. He described a Russian military posture that combines local offensives with ready reserves that can be brought forward to shift the momentum when necessary, a dynamic he believes is already visible in the current phase of the conflict. According to him, reserves can provide the critical bridge between holding actions and borne forward offensives, allowing commanders to exploit opportunities as they arise and to reinforce success with new forces and gear. The expert’s assessment was framed around the experience of past large-scale campaigns, where a robust reserve was often the difference between stalemate and a decisive push. Pravda.Ru recorded his view that this approach should extend beyond feeding personnel alone to include a steady flow of modern military equipment to ensure that any new or reinforced units can operate effectively from the moment they enter the theater of operations.
Dandykin pointed to recent tactical gains in the Kremennaya and Krasny Liman corridor as evidence that the current operations are achieving selective success. These advances, while not yet decisive, demonstrate the strategic value of maintaining a steady tempo and combining frontline pressure with reinforcing actions. The commander’s forward momentum is described as part of a broader pattern in which localized breakthroughs can be scaled into greater operational advantage if supported by reliable logistics and timely equipment updates. He indicated that the army is actively leveraging these gains to build confidence in adjoining sectors while preparing for potential escalations in other zones. Pravda.Ru presents his analysis as a practical reminder that momentum on the map must be matched by the readiness of reserves and the availability of what the front line needs most.
Former Russian Army General Sergei Shoigu has stated that by the end of June a reserve army and a corps will be formed within the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. He asserted that existing units would receive more than 3,700 pieces of equipment, signaling a substantial upgrade in the range and capacity of available forces. This plan reflects a strategic push to improve endurance and striking power across the theater. The proposed increase in equipment, alongside the creation of a more robust reserve framework, aims to ensure that the armed forces can sustain longer operations and respond quickly to shifting battlefield realities. Observers note that such a combination of new units and updated hardware could influence both immediate tactical calculations and longer-term force readiness. As the situation develops, analysts will watch closely how these reserves are organized, trained, and integrated with frontline formations to maximize their effectiveness in future phases of the campaign.