Russia trying to intensify offensive in eastern Ukraine - Defense Ministry

Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzianyk said this at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine - Ukrinform.

"The command of the Russian troops is trying to increase the pace of the offensive operation in eastern Ukraine in order to reach the administrative borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as to develop an offensive in certain areas: Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih. To this end, the enemy is regrouping and strengthening its troops, increasing the system of fire damage and logistics," Motuzianyk said.

According to him, the enemy continues to launch air and artillery strikes on Kharkiv.

In the Izium area, the invaders are trying to seize the initiative and conduct offensive operations on the Izium-Barvinkove axis. For this purpose, the enemy uses artillery outside the settlements of Hrushuvakha, Nova Dmytrivka and Kurulka.

In addition, in the Kryvyi Rih area, the enemy fired from artillery outside the settlements of Osokorivka, Mykolayivka and Topolyne.

Motuzianyk noted that the Black Sea Fleet ships in the Black and Azov Seas continue to perform tasks to isolate the area of hostilities and try to conduct reconnaissance. The possibility of the Russian Navy continuing to launch missile strikes on Ukrainian territory is not ruled out.

As reported, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated about 24,500 Russian soldiers from February 24 to May 4.