Russian army goes on offensive in Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk regions of Ukraine
This was announced by the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Oleksandr Motuzianyk, who spoke at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.
"The Russian armed forces have intensified offensive operations in eastern Ukraine. The main goal is to establish full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and maintain the land corridor toward the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea," Motuzianyk said.
According to the official, air and missile strikes on civilian targets throughout Ukraine, in particular in the western regions, have not stopped. Over the past 24 hours, Russia’s tactical and long-range aircraft have made at least 49 sorties.
The Ministry of Defense says the enemy continues to partially block Kharkiv and shell the city with artillery.
Thus, in the direction of Izium-Barvinkove, the enemy intensified air reconnaissance with the use of UAVs, ran offensive operations on the left bank of the Siversky Donets River in the directions Andriyivka - Zavody, Brazhkivka - Dmytrivka, and Sulyhivka - Dibrovne.
Invaders are also deploying additional anti-aircraft missile divisions of the Tor SAM to Kharkiv region. S-400 and S-300 anti-aircraft missile divisions have been deployed in Russia’s Belgorod region close to the Ukrainian border to cover the main command posts and rear areas.
In the Donetsk and Tavriya areas, with the support of bombers, the Russian army is conducting offensive operations along the entire front line. The main focus is on penetrating Ukraine’s defenses. In particular, in the Luhansk region - on the frontier of Kreminna - Terny, Rubizhne - Popasna, and in Donetsk region – in the direction of Staromlynivka - Shevchenkove.
Also, invaders keep trying to establish full control over Mariupol.
According to Motuzianyk, Ukrainian soldiers repulsed seven enemy attacks in Donetsk and Luhansk region over the past 24 hours.
He also noted that in the Pivdennyi Buh area, the Russian invaders will try to advance and gain a foothold on the administrative border of Kherson region.
"In order to improve the tactical situation and advance to the Buh estuary, the Russians are continuing offensive operations in the area of Oleksandrivka. The enemy doesn’t stop shelling civilian objects in Mykolaiv," the spokesman told reporters.
He noted that Belarus continues to provide its territory for Russian air strikes on Ukraine, as well as aerial reconnaissance of objects on the Ukrainian territory.
A spokesman for the Defense Ministry added that in the Black Sea, there are now four Russian warships carrying Kalibr missiles (a total of 28 missiles).
As reported, the Armed Forces of Ukraine from February 24 to April 19 eliminated about 20,800 Russian military servicemen.
