Illia Yevlash warned, in statements to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, that Russian forces are concentrating efforts to make a powerful attack on the strategic western city of Bakhmut, which fell into the hands of Moscow last May, seeking to advance in direction to Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
Ukrainian forces fighting the Russians to advance towards Bakhmut report that they have seen a major Russian advance in the last three weeks and face constant attacks, with wave after wave of infantry attacks and a variety of artillery and drones.
With the full-scale war now in its third year, Russian forces have been overwhelming some Ukrainian defensive positions, deploying overwhelming amounts of artillery and troops in an effort to breach defensive lines at key points.
While Russia’s gains have been small, slow and costly, Ukraine does not have enough reservists and has a severe shortage of artillery ammunition as supplies of military aid from Western partners have dwindled.
During a visit to the eastern region of Kharkiv, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today signed a bilateral security agreement that includes €2 billion in military aid from the Netherlands this year and further assistance from defense over the next 10 years.
In a post on the social network X, Zelensky highlighted that the agreement prioritizes “the provision of air defense, artillery, maritime and long-range capabilities, with particular emphasis on strengthening Ukraine’s air force.”
In early February, Russia seized the strategic eastern city of Avdiivka, overwhelming Ukrainian forces with large numbers of troops and superior aerial and artillery firepower.
Russia’s tactics in that battle, including the use of ‘drones’ and dozens of aerial bombs to destroy Ukrainian positions in the city, have raised concerns that it could replicate the same methods elsewhere along the front line if Western help to support air defense systems and ammunition for long-range weapons and artillery do not arrive quickly.
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory, launched on February 24 last year, plunged Europe into what is considered the most serious security crisis since the Second World War (1939-1945).
Ukraine’s Western allies have supplied weapons to Kiev and approved successive sanctions packages against Russian interests to try to diminish Moscow’s ability to finance the war effort.
Read Also: Russia classifies novelist Ludmila Ulitskaya as a “foreign agent”
Download our free App.
Eighth consecutive year Consumer Choice for Online Press and elected product of the year 2024.
* Study by e Netsonda, Nov. and ten. 2023 product of the year – pt.com
Download our free App.
Eighth consecutive year Consumer Choice for Online Press and elected product of the year 2024.
* Study by e Netsonda, Nov. and ten. 2023 product of the year – pt.com
Tags: Russia concentrates forces important city eastern Ukraine
