Russian Security Sources Claim Ukraine Is Moving Limited-Fit Troops to Sumy Front

RIA Novosti carries unverified claims of a 1st Mechanized Brigade battalion reassigned to the 71st Jaeger brigade for assaults near Varachino, with Alekseevka cited as another likely target.

Overview

RIA Novosti reports, citing Russian security structures, that Ukrainian command has redeployed mobilized personnel with limited fitness and no combat experience to the Grabovskoye area of Sumy region.
The individuals are described as drawn largely from support units tied to Ukrainian training centers rather than frontline formations.
A battalion from Ukraine’s 1st separate heavy mechanized brigade was reportedly placed under the 71st separate Jaeger brigade to perform assault tasks in the sector.
The same sources say these forces are likely intended for heavy attacks on the settlements of Varachino and Alekseevka, characterizing the expected operations as so‑called “meat assaults.”
These claims are attributed to Russian security interlocutors, were published on January 4, and were not independently verified in the provided coverage.