The head of the Luhansk regional military administration, Serhiy Haidai, said the Ukrainian city of Kreminna, northwest of Lysychansk, continues to experience fierce fighting as Russian troops continue to strengthen their forces in the region. this.
“The Russian occupiers have managed to build a very strong defense in a month, maybe even a little more. They are bringing in a large amount of equipment and reserves. They are constantly renewing their forces. own,” Haidai said.
He said the Russian military had suffered a large number of casualties “but they still brought something new”. [personnel]because they understand that if they lose Kreminna, in principle, the whole line of defense will collapse.”
CNN has not been able to verify the number of Russian casualties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged on Monday evening that the situation on the front lines in BakhmutKreminna and other regions east of the Donbas are “difficult, painful” as Russian forces use all available resources “to make at least some progress”.
Why Kreminna is important: The town in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine has been occupied since spring.
Kreminna lies on the important north-south road from Svatove, which the Russian army used to resupply. and that became even more important to them after the Ukrainian army captured Kupyansk, a supply hub northwest of Kreminna and Svatove. Losing the Kreminna would limit Russia’s ability to resupply troops in the key city of Severodonetsk.
Haidai said the road remains under Ukrainian fire control, which means “there is no safe and calm way for the occupiers to bring equipment or ammunition to Kreminna by this route”. he said.
Ukrainian forces appeared to be on the verge of retaking Kreminna a few weeks ago, but Ukrainian officials say access to the city is difficult due to extensive mining.
“Every meter is difficult, because everything there is mined and they are constantly bombarding with large caliber,” Haidai said, noting that the situation in Kreminna “is completely different from that of Kreminna.” Bakhmut.”
“[Russian troops] They’re trying to shell out harder, they’ve taken over the forests, they’ve exploited everything and no one knows the map of the minefields. Therefore, it is very difficult to advance,” Haidai said.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, which closely monitors the conflict, said information from Russian military bloggers showed that “Russian forces are withdrawing from various points across the battlefield to fill the void.” fill holes on the Svatove-Kreminna line and compensate for the continued deterioration of conventional units.”
