Russian forces are trying to break through Ukrainian defense lines near the eastern city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, according to the Armed Forces' 47th Mechanized Brigade forces of Ukraine, quoted by DPA and BTA.
The city is currently the epicenter of hostilities in the war between Russia and Ukraine, which began with the Russian invasion in February 2022.
The Russian army relies primarily on massed infantry attacks supported by combat drones, brigade spokeswoman Anastasia Blishchuk announced on television.
„For the last month, we have seen armored vehicles only in isolated cases. It's because they just don't have the technology anymore, she said.
When we do drone flyovers, we see “huge piles” destroyed armored vehicles, and therefore the Russian forces are trying to win the fight through strong infantry forces, Blishchuk added.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the Russian army is trying to “intensify its strikes” of the Pokrovsky direction. Accordingly, Ukrainian forces are strengthening their defense lines and delivering additional ammunition to the area.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces had taken control of a neighborhood in the key city of Chasov Yar, while Kiev said fierce fighting was taking place in the area, Reuters reported.
Chasov Yar is located on a high field 20 km west of Bakhmut, a town captured by Russian troops last year.
Both sides consider Chasov Yar a strategic starting point that Russian troops could use to advance further into the Donetsk region towards the cities of Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.
"As a result of active actions, the forces of military group "South" established full control over the "Noviy" district at the settlement of Chasov Yar and came to more favorable positions in the forward sectors", indicated the defense department in Moscow.
Quarter "Noviy" is located adjacent to the Seversky Donets - Donbas canal in the western direction, which passes through the eastern part of the city.
Yesterday, Ivan Petrechak, spokesman for the 24th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said on Ukrainian television that the situation was "critically serious," and that fighting was taking place in the area of the canal, he said.
"The shelling does not abate. The enemy is using artillery and rocket systems for salvo fire," Petrechak said. "The situation remains difficult. But the 24th Brigade held its ground."
According to Petrechak, Russian forces are sticking to the familiar tactic of moving infantry forces into wooded areas, then breaking out in small groups to attack Ukrainian units. "The advancing soldiers are taking cover from artillery fire and attack drones," the spokesman said.
According to the popular Ukrainian military blog "Deep State" Russian forces have "completely razed" district "Noviy". Last week, a Ukrainian military spokesman said Russian troops had been pushed out of the canal area.
Since seizing the key town of Avdeyevka in February, Russian forces have been slowly making their way through eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine forces are once again receiving Western arms and ammunition after aid was halted for months due to disputes in the US Congress.
Washington announced this week a new $2.3 billion package to support Kiev, including artillery shells, anti-aircraft missiles and anti-tank weapons.
President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked yesterday in "X" for the aid and said it included funds to purchase Patriot systems. and NASAMS, which will "reinforce Ukrainian troops and increase their capabilities on the battlefield".