Ukraine is launching a significant attack in the south and east by capitalising on the anarchy that has engulfed Vladimir Putin‘s government.
According to reports, Kiev generals were considering how they could gain an advantage on the front lines as the Wagner Group’s mercenaries marched towards Moscow.
In Ukraine, where there is ferocious fighting going on apart from the revolt, deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar wrote earlier today that “progress is being made in all directions.”
She claimed that the army had initiated an operation in a number of eastern sites, including Bakhmut, Yagidne, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Kurdyumivka, despite earlier cautions not to divulge Ukraine’s military preparations.
This is where Russian forces and allied Wagner soldiers had made major advances in recent months.
Ms Maliar also added: ‘The enemy tried to advance in the Kupyansk, Lymansk, and Marinsk directions, but they failed to advance.
‘They launched airstrikes and artillery fire in the Avdiyiv and Shakhtar directions.’
Russian forces said they had repelled multiple attacks in four areas in the east of the country.
In the south, Ms Maliar confirmed that heavy fighting continues in all directions of the offensive.
‘The enemy is on the defensive, making great effort to stop our offensive actions,’ she added.
‘At the same time, the enemy is suffering significant losses in personnel, weapons and equipment.’
The UK Ministry of Defence said Ukrainian soldiers have been undertaking major offensive operations on three main axes in the south and east.
An update on Twitter this morning read: ‘Forces are using the experiences from the first two weeks of the counter-offensive to refine tactics for assaulting the deep, well prepared Russian defences.
‘Ukrainian units are making gradual but steady tactical progress in key areas.
‘In Luhansk Oblast, Russian forces have made their own significant effort to launch an attack in the Serebryanka Forest near Kremina.’
The MoD said Russia has made some small gains, but added that Ukrainian forces have prevented a breakthrough.