Ukraine faces a difficult situation in Bakhmut and Dnipro
The Ukrainian Defence Forces suffered 58 Russian attacks in the last hours in the Donetsk region and managed to eliminate 670 Russian soldiers. The fighting took place mainly in Bakhmut, Bojdanivka and Khromovo. The Defence Forces repulsed more than 30 attacks on the indicated section of the front. This endless violence continues to shake the region. Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky visited the front a few days ago, to review the progress of the Ukrainian Defence Forces' defence. He listened to reports from commanders of military units and groups and made operational decisions. It was reported that the enemy, the "Wagnerians", are suffering major exhaustion and are now forced to involve special forces and airborne assault units. The enemy has switched to scorched earth tactics, destroying buildings and positions with air strikes and artillery fire. Russian forces continue to fight on the front lines, but the offensive potential is beginning to diminish. The Russian offensive in Avdiivka is estimated to be petering out and the enemy still does not control Maryinka.
The Russian Federation has ignored the laws and customs of international warfare in invading Ukraine. This has increased the likelihood of air and missile attacks. The Russian armed forces have launched numerous offensive actions in such directions as Liman, Bajmut, Avdiivka and Maryinka, despite heavy losses of equipment and personnel. This aggression has led to increased tension between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, threatening regional stability. It is therefore urgent that the international community act to end the violence and ensure a peaceful solution to the crisis.
Russian sources indicate that the pace of the offensive on the Avdiivka-Donetsk frontline has slowed recently. Russian commentators are preparing for a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive, while the focus of enemy intelligence is shifting towards assessing Ukraine's potential to retake important positions.
Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar reported that the Russians' most professional units suffered heavy losses in the battles. Meanwhile, cyber specialists of the Ukrainian Security Service together with Polish law enforcement officers dismantled a transnational criminal organisation that was extorting money from residents of the war zone. These actions have made it possible to halt the enemy's advance and ensure the security of the region's inhabitants. The Russian enemy has been conducting unsuccessful offensive operations in the city of Bajmut in an attempt to take full control of the city. These operations have caused shelling of a dozen nearby settlements, including Hryhorivka, Khromovo, Vasiukivka, Zaliznianske, Minkivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bakhmut, Khromovo, Ivanovske, Predtechyne, Chasiv Yar, Ozaryanivka and Druzhba. Despite Russian efforts, fighting continues.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing to attempt to cross the Dnieper River, but the acting governor of the Kherson region, Volodymyr Saldo, has declared that their efforts "are doomed to failure". The acting head of the region explained that the Ukrainian armed forces are conducting manoeuvres, changing positions and creating false ones on the right bank of the Dnieper, as well as transferring manpower and assembling boats.
The Ukrainian government has stated that the country's armed forces do not have sufficient resources to carry out a successful counteroffensive. Deficiencies in equipment, weapons, ammunition and supplies have been reported. However, the acting governor has declared that the attacks on Dnipro and Liman are "doomed to failure" in the face of any Russian provocation. The head of the Defence Ministry also stressed that the attack would be launched in several directions, and estimated that this could occur in April and May. On 6 April, CNN reported that Ukraine might start a counteroffensive in the southern and eastern directions. This was confirmed the next day by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said that Kiev's partners have two objectives: to organise an offensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and to strengthen their capabilities in the medium and long term. In early March 2022, Russia occupied the Kherson region and on 30 September annexed it along with the Zaporizhzhya region and the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. On 18 October, General Sergey Surovikin declared that the situation in the Kherson area was difficult. In early November, Russian troops withdrew and the Ukrainian army entered the city. An offensive is currently being prepared to recapture the Kherson region.