Recent Maxar satellite imagery reveals that Russian ground forces continue to redeploy and move into eastern Ukraine, likely in preparation for a renewed offensive and military operations in the Donbas region. A number of military deployments were observed along the 14K-34 highway and the corridor that leads from Soloti and Valuyki in western Russia towards the border with Ukraine.
These deployments consisted of dozens of armored vehicles, troops with tents and support equipment and were positioned in fields and farms west of Soloti and near the Russian towns of Dubrovka, Biriuch and Leonovka—approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) east of the Ukraine border.
Across the border and into eastern Ukraine, several convoys of military equipment were seen traveling along the T2104 highway near Vilkhuvatka.
In likely related activity, additional military convoys were also seen yesterday (April 11th) in and near the Donbas region near the Ukrainian towns of Bilokurakyne and Kyslikva. Together, the convoys contain more than 200 vehicles and include tanks, armored personnel carriers, towed artillery and support equipment.
In other activity, in southern Ukraine, signs of ongoing artillery shelling and recent attacks continue to be seen in and around Mariupol. Smoke and fire was observed coming from a number of buildings throughout the western and eastern sections of the city as well as in and near the Azovstal iron and steel works factory—the site of ongoing battles between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
Finally, two probable Russian military resupply and maintenance bases have been established in southern Ukraine and in Crimea that are likely being used to help reinforce and resupply operations in and near Mariupol, Kherson and Mykolaiv.
All imagery is ©2022 Maxar Technologies.
