Russian division cancels leave until May 9: Ukraine’s Defense Forces' statement

All leave for units of Russia’s 19th Motorized Rifle Division has been canceled through May 9, said Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesman for Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces, in a comment to Ukrinform.

Ukrainian intelligence believes Russian command expects Ukrainian forces to launch assault operations during the holiday period.

«According to our intelligence, leave has been canceled in several units of Russia’s 19th Motor Rifle Division until May 9, because the enemy believes Ukraine’s Defense Forces may carry out assault actions on those days. They fear we could break through the line of contact, ” Voloshyn said.

At the same time, he did not rule out another reason — that Russian troops themselves may be preparing to intensify combat operations in the near future.

Voloshyn added that the situation is under constant monitoring by Ukrainian intelligence, and Defense Forces units are ready for any scenario on the southern front.