KYIV (Reuters) – Fighting along the northern part of Ukraine’s eastern front has “worsened significantly” in recent days, the commander of Kiev’s ground forces said on Saturday.
Oleksandr Sirsky, who was visiting Ukrainian forces in the region, said that Russian forces regrouped after suffering losses and were attacking around the village of Makeyivka and towards the city of Kubyansk.
He added in statements carried by an official military platform, “The enemy’s main goal is to defeat a group of our forces, encircle Kubyansk, and reach the Uskil River.”
Sersky added that Russian forces launched “dozens” of attacks every day, but Ukrainian forces were ready and maintained their positions.
This development comes as Kremlin forces are also bombing the strategic Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, on a different part of the Eastern Front, in what Russian and Western officials said amounts to a new attack.
The counteroffensive launched by Ukraine four months ago has made some progress both in the east, near Bakhmut, and in the south, where Kiev hopes to reach the Sea of Azov, but the gains have been gradual.
(Reporting by Dan Belichuk; Editing by Helen Popper)
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