Russia switched to defense, except for two sectors - Budanov

The head of the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov said this in an interview with Radio NV.

"On March 31, 2023, another attempt of the Russian offensive, the so-called winter-spring offensive, failed. They were supposed to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Again, this was not even the fifth attempt that failed. As of now, Russia has no potential for a strategic offensive operation. And it will not be in the near future," he said.

According to him, "Russia has switched to a strategic defensive operation" to hold on to the seized territories, deterring the Ukrainian operation to liberate them.

"There are two exceptions. The first is an attempt to capture Bakhmut. I must also say frankly that they have been almost seizing Bakhmut, according to their statements, since June 2022. It will soon be a calendar year. The situation there is complicated, but Bakhmut is still standing. The second is an attempt to semi-capture Avdiivka from the northern side, where the main front of Maryinka is located, basically an attempt to take active action there," the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine chief said.

As Ukrinform reported, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on April 17 that the enemy had concentrated all its professional strike forces in four areas in the east - Marinka, Lyman, Bakhmut and Avdiivka - so Ukraine should concentrate more of its military potential there to stop the enemy.