Despite intense fire, Ukraine Army in control of situation and aware of enemy plans – Defense Ministry

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzianyk during a briefing at Ukraine Media Center, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Russian occupation troops are opening intense fire all over the contact line and striking deep into the defense lines of Ukrainian forces in Luhansk Region and Donetsk Region. The situation is remaining challenging, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine are in control of the situation and aware of the enemy’s plans. The enemy intensified efforts in the Lyman, Sievierodonetsk, Bakhmut, Kurakhove and Avdiivka directions. The key objective is to encircle Ukrainian forces near Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk, and reach the administrative border of Luhansk Region,” Motuzianyk told.

In his words, Ukrainian defenders are holding back the enemy’s powerful offensive on the Sloviansk direction. Russian troops are attempting to regroup and resume the offensive on such directions as Izium-Barvinkove and Izium-Sloviansk.

In the Lyman direction, the Ukrainian military are preventing the enemy’s attempts to push Ukrainian defenders away from the north-western and south-eastern parts of Lyman and launch the offensive on Sloviansk. Russian occupiers are likely to use the Terminator tank support fighting vehicles to increase the combat capacity of their troops in this area.

In the Sievierodonetsk direction, Ukrainian defenders are repulsing enemy attacks on such directions as Shchedryshcheve-Sievierodonetsk, Oskolonivka-Borivske and Nyzhnie-Toshkivka.

In the Bakhmut direction, the Ukrainian military are holding back the aggressor’s offensive near Komyshuvakha despite artillery and air strikes.

In the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian forces are repelling enemy attacks on such directions as Novoselivka Druha-Krasnohorivka and Novobakhmutivka-Krasnohorivka.

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