A source in Russian security structures said units of the Timur special forces group from Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate had been deployed to border areas of the Chernigov region.

According to the source, an analysis of posts published by Ukrainian volunteers indicated that separate Timur groups had been moved closer to the border.

Earlier reports said additional Ukrainian units were also being sent to the region to strengthen reserves. In particular, the 1st Separate Territorial Defence Brigade was reportedly deployed to the Chernigov region.

The Ukrainian command also transferred personnel from the 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade in Ivano-Frankovsk to the area to help prepare and equip defensive positions.

On June 24, Vyacheslav Chaus, head of the Chernigov regional military administration, announced mandatory evacuations from several border areas starting July 1. The measure was to cover the Koryukovka, Gorodnya, Novgorod-Seversky and Semyonovka communities.

In late June, Alexander Syrsky, who was serving as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces at the time, also said Russian troops could launch an offensive in the Chernigov region. In his view, such an operation could begin from the Bryansk region.