KYIV: Ukrainian military officials claimed on Sunday that Russian forces have intensified attacks in eastern Ukraine to gain ground near two key front-line cities.
The head of Ukraine’s ground forces in his Telegram post said that Moscow’s troops have started to regain territory near Bakhmut, the eastern mining city that witnessed the bloodiest battle before falling into Russian hands in May. Ukrainian troops had regained the heights over Bakhmut and made some advances to the city’s west, north and south since Kyiv launched its counteroffensive.
Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Telegram that the Russians have become more active toward Bakhmut, and are trying to recapture previously lost positions.
Ukraine’s long-awaited counteroffensive has so far resulted in only gradual gains and heavy losses, while the Ukrainian troops are struggling to hit Russian lines in the south.
Russian trying to distract Kyiv
Meanwhile, Russian forces have attempted to move forward in the northeast, with an objective to distract Kyiv and lessen the number of troops it is able to send to key southern and eastern battles.
The Ukrainian ground forces’ spokesperson has also reported that Russian troops had switched from defense to active defense near Bakhmut, exerting pressure on Ukrainian troops in south of the city.
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Vladimir Fityo expressed the remarks on Ukrainian TV, saying that Russian troops were searching for weak points in Ukrainian defenses and intensified artillery strikes on Ukrainian positions.
Ukraine’s General Staff said that Russian troops were also continuing their weekslong push to surround Avdiivka, a Ukrainian stronghold south of Bakhmut and a key target since the start of the war. It is considered the gateway to parts of the eastern Donetsk region that falls under Kyiv’s control.
