According to the military leadership in Kiev, Ukrainians are exposed to heavy Russian attacks in the north of the country and around Bakhmut. “The situation is extremely tense and characterized by intense fire from artillery, mine launchers and combat drones, as well as attack actions by the enemy,” wrote the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Olexander Syrskyj, on his channel Telegram tonight. He coordinated additional defense with brigade commanders on the ground.
Defender on defense
In northeastern Ukraine, defenders have been on the defensive for months. Russia has reported several small gains of ground in recent weeks.
Bakhmut and the front sector in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine also appear in the General Staff's nightly situation report. The Ukrainian army repelled four Russian attacks near the town of Synkivka, near the small, strategically important town of Kupyansk. The enemy is trying to “break through the defense of our armed forces”, says the situation report. Seven attacks were repelled in the area around the completely destroyed city of Bakhmut.
According to the situation report, the focus of Russian attack efforts was once again Avdiivka and also the area around the small town of Maryinka, which was reportedly seized by Russia weeks ago and is also in ruins. Both cities are located a little further south, in the Donetsk region, and directly border the regional capital, Donetsk, which has been under Russian control since 2014.