Russian MoD says its troops repel five attempted Ukrainian offensives
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Russia fends off Ukrainian offensives in Zaporozhye while marginally advancing in the Svatove Axis.
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Ukrainian soldiers fire a mortar towards Russian positions at the front line, near Bakhmut, Donetsk People's Republic, Aug. 12 2023 (AP)
Russian military forces have thwarted multiple attempts by Ukrainian troops to launch offensives in the Krasnolymanska and Svatove directions. A spokesperson from the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed these incidents and provided details of the clashes.
According to the spokesperson, the Russian "Tsentr" Group of Forces effectively repelled five separate assault attempts by units from the 42nd and 67th mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as the fifth brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine.
The clashes occurred in the Krasnolymanska direction and resulted in significant losses for the Ukrainian side. Over 80 Ukrainian militants were reported killed, and their equipment suffered losses, including an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored vehicle, and an enemy 120-millimeter mortar that were destroyed during the engagements.
Additionally, in the Svatove direction, Russian forces successfully fended off two Ukrainian attempts to launch attacks. Ukrainian losses in manpower were reported to be ten military personnel during these encounters.
The spokesperson revealed that Russian aerial capabilities also played a crucial role in countering the Ukrainian advances.
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The crews of Su-34 multipurpose fighter-bombers executed four targeted airstrikes, deploying guided aerial bombs at three points of temporary deployment and a field ammunition depot of the Ukrainian troops. This strategic action further hindered the Ukrainian forces' attempts to make progress.
In a bid to regain lost ground, Ukraine launched a much-anticipated counteroffensive in early June. However, the Russian Defense Ministry has asserted that Ukrainian forces have struggled to make advances along three specific directions: South Donetsk, Bakhmut, and Zaporizhzhia, with the latter being of primary concern.
Ukraine has been hyping its counteroffensive attack, since last year. Although the attack was intended for spring, it was moved to the summer after Ukraine blamed the delay on a lack of weapons.
Despite the fact that Ukraine's counteroffensive is moving more slowly than anticipated, Ukraine continues to reject the option of freezing the battle, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"No matter how far we advance in our counter-offensive, we will not agree to a frozen conflict because that is war, that is a prospectless development for Ukraine," Zelensky said while admitting that the counteroffensive's progress has been "slower than desired."
