2023-06-05 20:20:00
These operations take place at a time when the Ukrainian authorities say they have been preparing for months a vast counter-offensive intended to force Russian troops to withdraw from the areas they occupy. “The defensive operation (from Ukraine) includes counter-offensive actions. Therefore, in certain sectors, we carry out offensive actions”, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Maliar said on Monday, without saying more. She also mentioned, without further details, “minor fights” in the South where Russian forces are “on the defensive”.
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The Russian Ministry of Defense has meanwhile claimed to have countered attacks on five sectors of the front since the morning of June 4. “in the southern direction of the Donetsk region“, located in the East. He claimed that Russian soldiers had inflicted significant losses on Ukrainian forces near the locality of Neskoutchné, in the Donetsk region, and that of Novodarivka, just on the border between this same region and the more southern Zaporizhia. “attempts to break through Russian defences” – all postponed, according to Moscow – also took place on Monday afternoon near the town of Novodonetské, in the vicinity of Vougledar, a recurring hot spot on the front in the south of the Donetsk region.
Bakhmout “epicenter”
According to Kiev, the Bakhmout sector, which is the scene of the longest and deadliest battle of the conflict and which Russia claimed to have taken in May, remains “the epicenter of hostilities”. Ms. Maliar says Ukrainian forces are advancing on the outskirts of this city “on a fairly broad front” : “We achieve success and occupy the commanding heights.” This Ukrainian advance was confirmed by the leader of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to whom “part of the locality of Berkhivka is already lost”. A “shame“, he said, once again attacking General Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
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If Ukraine remains silent on its real plans for a counter-offensive, Russian experts and soldiers expect Kiev to multiply attacks on enemy lines to detect weaknesses there, before launching the bulk of the troops. This was the scenario of September 2022 when the Ukrainian army secretly prepared an assault that resulted in the reconquest of almost the entire Kharkiv region in the northeast.
Belgorod under increasing pressure
In addition, for two weeks, incursions and bombings have multiplied in the Russian region of Belgorod, bordering Ukraine, claimed by fighters presenting themselves as Russians who are fighting alongside Ukrainians. The strikes killed several civilians and injured dozens of civilians. In the latest operation on Sunday, one such group dubbed the “Freedom Legion of Russia” took prisoners who are to be handed over to kyiv.
War in Ukraine: Wagner’s fighters ready to defend the Belgorod region, “We will defend our Russian people…”
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