Ukraine’s military says that Russia is holding back some forces inside its borders to prevent a Ukrainian counter-offensive moving east of Kharkiv.
In its latest operational update, the general staff of the armed forces said that “in order to prevent the advance of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy has gathered up to 19 sub-groups of combatants.” delegation in the Belgorod region” of Russia.
Analysts say Russia is holding back units as Ukrainian units move closer to the Russian border.
Inside Ukraine, the general staff said the most intense activity was in the Donetsk region, where Russian forces were trying to advance towards the town of Lyman, a major transport hub.
Elsewhere in the area, it said, “the enemy has increased its firepower and is trying to break through our military’s defenses.”
Despite this, Russian forces remained “focused on regrouping units, replenishing ammunition, fuel, [and] maintain previously occupied positions. “
The General Staff said it hoped the Russians would continue an assault on the village of Sulyhivka as they try to make progress from the Izium area. Over the past month, the Russians have made modest gains in the region but have failed to address any of the consequences.
Luhansk: On the Luhansk front, the increased Russian shelling caused many civilian casualties and hindered rescue operations.
Serhiy Hayday, head of the military junta in the Luhansk region, said rescuers had lost contact with 11 people hiding in a basement in Shypilovo. He said it was not possible to completely dismantle the wreckage of damaged buildings in Bilohorivka – where a civilian shelter school was hit over the weekend – known as Shypilovo.
“With the support of aircraft and artillery, the enemy concentrated all his strength to try to take control of Rubizhne and prepare for the continuation of offensive operations in the direction of Lysychansk. The enemy increased their firepower and tried to penetrate the area. our defenses,” he said.
Russian forces have only gained a small portion of territory in Luhansk but are now in control the ruined town of Popasna.
Southern Ukraine: The General Staff alleges that in the occupied areas of the Zaporizhzhia region in the south, the Russians are seizing the personal documents of civilians and will only return them if they attend ceremonial events marking the Victory Day. CNN was unable to verify the claim.
After a weekend of fighting claims over the war on Snake Island in the Black Sea, the Odesa military junta said: “Yes [Russian] The ships and submarines of the Black Sea Fleet were constantly maneuvering and regrouping. “
“The number of boats has increased. So far, we know of six ships and two submarines,” it said.
The Odesa military junta repeated the list of Russian units it said it destroyed over the weekend: a small landing craft, two patrol boats and a ship carrying anti-aircraft forces to Snake Island, as well. like a helicopter.
