 Over 150,000 Russian troops in southern Ukraine prepare for Ukrainian counter-offensive. Around 152,000 Russian troops are currently stationed in temporarily occupied territories in southern Ukraine, in Zaporizia and Kursan Oblasts, preparing to defend their positions against the expected Ukrainian counter-offensive. Andrei Cheneyak, spokesman for Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, said it in a comment for RBC Ukraine. We are not seeing troops being withdrawn from Zaporizia or Kursan Oblasts. Yes, they're making certain motions, taking away some things, evacuating some people, looting, but we are not seeing military units being withdrawn. In Ennohoda, for example, they are taking away everything they can – cars, medical equipment, but they do not withdraw. They are clearly aware that they will be fighting there, Cheneyak said. Cheneyak has said that Russian troops were preparing for defence, reinforcing their existing defence fortifications and constructing new ones because they know they do not have enough force to go on the offensive. He added that the main goal of the Russian occupation forces is to hold their current positions. He also explained that the Russians are using the so-called evacuation from the occupied territories in southern Ukraine as a cover-up to conduct counterintelligence and filtration operations. They are also forcibly deporting Ukraine's supporters because they fear that partisan movements might spring up.