“The situation is very difficult in many places on the front line, where Russian troops have accumulated as many reserves as possible. They are taking advantage of the delay in aid to Ukraine,” said Mr. Zelensky said in his message daily. His country lacked artillery and the front line needed anti-aircraft defenses as well as long-range weapons.
Russian forces have been on the offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine, capturing the disputed town of Avdiyvka in Donetsk region and scoring their first major victory since capturing Pakmut in May 2023.
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On Monday, the Ukrainian military said it was facing “heavy fire” from an offensive by Russian forces in the Zaporozhye region in the south of the country.
Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Turnavsky said Moscow's troops were carrying out several attacks near the village of Robotyn, one of the few places Ukraine regained ground during a Ukrainian counteroffensive last summer.
The Russian military is trying to advance “small assault groups supported by armored units,” he said in Telegram.
“These offensive attempts were stopped, the enemy was eliminated on the outskirts of Robotyn,” said General Tarnovsky, who commands Ukrainian forces in the region.
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Like many towns in eastern Ukraine, Robotin was completely destroyed after months of artillery exchanges.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, days before the second anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, hailed the capture of Avdiyvka as an “important victory” for his troops.
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