The Ukrainian army is currently in a situation “ extremely difficult » in the face of Russian forces who are on the offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine after seizing the town of Avdiïvka this weekend, kyiv admitted on Monday.
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“ The situation is extremely difficult at several points on the front line, where Russian troops have concentrated maximum reserves. They are taking advantage of the delay in aid » western toUkrainedeclared Monday February 19 the president Volodymyr Zelensky in his daily message. He added that his country lacked artillery and needed anti-aircraft defense as much as longer-range weapons.
The Ukrainian head of state also believes that the blockade of the border with Poland by Polish truckers and farmers testifies to “ the erosion of solidarity » towards his country.
On the battlefield, Russian soldiers, who have just obtained their first major territorial gain since the capture of Bakhmut in May 2023 by conquering Avdiïvka, in the eastern region of Donetsk, went on the attack in the east and the south, explained the Ukrainian army.
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In the southern part of the front, “ the enemy made ten unsuccessful attempts against the positions of the (Ukrainian) defense forces in the region (of the village) of Robotyne. Here, the situation is changing, the enemy is inflicting heavy fire », Said Dmytro Lykhovy, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military in this area.
Multiple Russian attacks
According to him, the Ukrainians repelled attacks launched “ with a significant number of armored vehicles » but the Russians are now attacking with “ small groups » supported by armored vehicles and an air force which “ actively operates “.
“ These offensive attempts were stopped, the enemy was eliminated on the outskirts of Robotyné », Assured General Oleksandr Tarnavsky, the commander of Ukrainian troops in the region. The Telegram channel DeepState, close to the Ukrainian army, reported on Sunday evening that the Russians had managed to break through the Ukrainian defenses a few kilometers east of Robotyne.
This village, now like many other localities completely razed by artillery fire, was recaptured from the Russians in August, which was described as an important success by Ukraine in the counter-offensive it had launched in summer.
Russian attacks on this part of the southern front began this weekend when the Russian army captured Avdiïvkasome 150 km northeast of Robotyné, after four months of repeated assaults.
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(with AFP)