“Panic is growing on the front on the Ukrainian side… We all have old friends, family of friends and others who are fighting on the front. Some come on vacation and tell us about it, others share it over the phone, by letter. It’s first-hand information, on the other side, there is panic,” he told Russian television.
The Kremlin representative added that “now it is very important to support this dynamic, not stop and move forward in achieving” Russia’s objectives in Ukraine.
After the failure of the Ukrainian military counteroffensive last summer, Russian forces seized the initiative, occupied the Avdivka bastion and continue to advance steadily into eastern Ukraine, taking advantage of the delay in Western aid to Kiev.
Last week, the situation worsened following the sudden advance of the Russian army towards the village of Ocheretine, a strategic high point northwest of Avdivka, in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk, and the capture of several villages.
Furthermore, they continue to advance towards Chasiv Yar, whose eventual capture would allow the Russian army to threaten the Ukrainian fortresses of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, essential for control of the Donetsk region.
