According to the United Kingdom, Russia wants to force Ukraine to mobilize as many troops as possible in the east by stepping up attacks. And this, in order to make more difficult an expected Ukrainian counter-offensive in the south.
Violent fighting is taking place in particular around the towns of Siversk and Bakhmut, north of Donetsk. Pro-Russian separatists in the region have also advanced towards the town of Piski, near the destroyed Donetsk airport. Nevertheless, according to British intelligence, the advance of the Russians remains limited for the moment.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the end of February, the British Ministry of Defense has published daily information on the progress of the war. London thus intends to counter the Russian discourse while Moscow accuses the British of carrying out a disinformation campaign.