While different sources had already confirmed the presence and activity of Russian military forces inside Ukraine in recent weeks, a new video taken near the Ukrainian city of Luhansk, as well as several social media reports, could indicate an increase in the scale of Russian units involved in the conflict. The video shows a convoy of military vehicles in a separatist-controlled area near Luhansk. The structure of the unit, based on its equipment, correlates with that of a Russian mechanized infantry battalion reinforced by a tank company. Separate reports also claimed that convoys, including field kitchens, were moving from Russia toward Luhansk. This would fit the logistical requirements to support a unit of this size in sustained operations.
Although the vehicles and troops in the video do not display clear markings that identify them as Russian military, a unit of this scale with the required logistical support would be difficult for untrained separatists to organize and operate. The know-how needed to operate a force of this scale and the resources required to sustain its operations indicate that this unit is likely an actual Russian battalion task group.
Ukraine has already made multiple claims that Russian battalion task groups are operating inside Ukraine, but this video seems to be the first hard evidence of pro-Russian formations of this particular size operating as a single unit on the battlefield. While this particular convoy was spotted near Luhansk, where a Russian battalion-sized unit reportedly forced Ukrainian troops out of the air base, units of this size reportedly have been operating farther south, near Ilovaisk and at Novoazovsk.
Russian material support and direct military support on a smaller scale have already boosted the separatists' ability to withstand the Ukrainian military operation. However, the presence of battalion-sized units marks a further commitment of Russian forces and further constrains Kiev's military options in eastern Ukraine, especially considering the casualties and material damage Ukrainian forces have sustained in combat with separatists and under Russian artillery fire.
