 Russian Army increasingly ceding initiative at front. Since the beginning of May 2023, Russia has increasingly ceded the initiative at the front and is reacting to the actions of Ukraine rather than actively moving towards its own war aims. The UK Ministry of Defense said this. Since the start of May 2023, Russia has increasingly ceded the initiative in the conflict and is reacting to Ukrainian action rather than actively progressing towards its own war aims. The report says it is noted that during May 2023, Russia has launched 20 nights of one-way attack, uncrewed aerial vehicle and cruise missile attacks deep inside Ukraine. Russia has had little success in its likely aims of neutralizing Ukraine's improved air defenses and destroying Ukrainian counter-attack forces. On the ground, it has redeployed security forces to react to party-sanct attacks inside Western Russia, the report says. According to the British intelligence, Russia's military spending elevated, which is putting pressure on Russian government finances.