According to a source in Russian security agencies, the Ukrainian command has reinforced assault groups from the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade on the Kharkov front with personnel drawn from communications and electronic intelligence units.

The source said the brigade had suffered heavy losses, forcing commanders to fill its assault detachments with communications and electronic reconnaissance specialists. Some of the transferred servicemen have reportedly already been killed.

In March, reports also emerged that experienced older communications personnel were being reassigned to Ukrainian assault units on a large scale. According to those accounts, many survived only a few days after being sent to forward positions.

Ukrainian UAV operators previously deployed near Volchansk to carry out strikes against Russian territory also suffered losses. Those personnel belonged to the Ukrainian army’s 428th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion.

The command of Ukraine’s 14th Army Corps had earlier confirmed that its units withdrew near Miropolye in the Sumy Region. The corps attributed the retreat to the Russian forces’ superiority in manpower and weaponry.