Russia has sent more troops to Ocheretyn in eastern Ukraine to step up its offensive in the area, but Ukrainian army controls most from the village and expects the supply of American weapons to turn the situation in favor of Kiev, the Ukrainian armed forces said today, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
After Russian forces captured the bastion town of Avdeyevka in February, they slowly advanced through at least half a dozen villages as the depleted Ukrainian army was forced to use its dwindling artillery reserves sparingly, Reuters noted.
Fierce fighting is ongoing near Ocheretyne today, but Nazar Voloshin, a spokesman for Ukraine's Eastern Command, said the situation was "under control" and the Ukrainian army holds two-thirds of the village. According to him, the Ukrainian troops managed to shell the area of the village, which was occupied by the Russians. "The enemy is blocked and measures are being taken to kick him out”, Voloshin also said.
At the same time, in the north, Russian forces are trying at all costs to capture Chasov Yar, although they have not entered the strategically important city, added the spokesman of the Eastern Command.
Chasov Yar, which is located on a hill, is seen as the gateway to the other important cities in Donbas that Russia wants to capture. Ukrainian troops are outnumbered and outgunned, but the new package of American military aid has significantly boosted their morale.
Voloshin said Ukraine's expected foreign military aid includes ammunition, artillery shells and weapons that will help turn the tide of the war on the fronts near Bakhmut and Avdeyevka, as well as in other areas.