Russian forces have no strategic success in eastern direction – AFU

Volodymyr Fitio, the spokesperson of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said this during the nationwide news telethon, Ukrinform reports.

"Russians have offered nothing new in terms of tactics so far, but they are transferring reserves from all over Russia, attempting to break through our defense line. They have not achieved any strategic success so far. The Ukrainian servicemen remain on the defensive. This gives us the opportunity both to defend and, if there is a suitable moment, to conduct attacks,” he said.

The spokesperson noted that in the eastern direction, fierce battles are currently taking place in the Kupiansk sector. Over the past day, Russian forces shelled the positions of Ukrainian defenders 691 times.

“The enemy continue attempts to attack our positions, break through the defense line. Its goal is to get to Kupiansk, to occupy it again, to win at least some kind of victory, which it has not had for a long time. They have been preparing for it, but we have also been preparing, our positions have been strengthened. Despite such an intensity of shelling, the enemy has not achieved strategic success in this direction,” he said.

In addition, according to Fitio, 13 airstrikes were recorded in this sector in the past day – the enemy deployed attack aircraft, fighter jets, and Ka-52 fire support helicopters.

He also informed that the situation in the Bakhmut direction is also quite tense, but under control. Thirteen combat clashes, airstrikes, and 503 shelling attacks from the entire arsenal of weapons available to the Russian occupiers were recorded over the past 24 hours.

"Our military eliminated 202 servicemen of the Russian army in the Bakhmut direction and prevented the enemy from advancing. We also have certain tactical success," Fitio noted.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Defense Forces repelled 20 enemy attacks, eliminated 263 occupiers and 23 units of enemy military equipment in the Lyman-Kupiansk sector over the past day.

Photo: General Staff