Ukrainian forces are in a "complex" situation near the eastern Ukrainian city of Chasiv Yar, where Russia is concentrating its offensive, the Ukrainian army announced yesterday, quoted by France Press and BTA.
In recent months, Moscow has made progress on the front line, playing to its advantage as Kiev faces a shortage of ammunition for which it relies on its Western allies.
"The situation regarding Chasiv Yar is complex and tense, and this is not the first day" in which this is the case, said Oleg Kalashnikov, commander of the 26th Ukrainian Artillery Brigade.
"Today, the enemy's efforts in his assault operations are concentrated there. They are trying to break through our defenses to reach Chasiv Yar," he added.
Kalashnikov said Russia has stepped up its use of powerful guided bombs in the area and is "dropping them on populated areas and on our fortified positions".
Ukraine has been on the defensive for several months due to a lack of ammunition. The $60 billion (€55 billion) military aid package promised by Washington has been blocked for months because of the political rivalry between Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress, according to AFP.
On Friday, the commander of Ukraine's ground forces said a Russian summer offensive involving 100,000 troops was "possible" but that it was the "darkest forecast.