Army chief alarmed:

Situation in eastern Ukraine “considerably worsened”

Russian armed forces in Ukraine(Bild: AP/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service)

Only recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky warned of his country's defeat at the hands of the Russian army. Now the Ukrainian army chief is also speaking of a "considerably worsened situation" in the east. The enemy has "significantly stepped up its offensive".

Days ago, the Ukrainian army had already spoken of a "difficult and tense situation" around the city of Chassiv Yar. The area was under "constant fire". The town is located around 20 kilometers west of Bachmut, which was captured by Russian troops in May last year after months of fighting.

Russian forces in the Ukraine(Bild: AP/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service)

"The enemy is attacking our positions in the Lyman and Bakhmut sectors with combat groups supported by armored vehicles," said army chief Olkesandr Syrskyi on Saturday. In the Pokrovsk region, Russian troops are trying to break through the Ukrainian defense lines with tanks and armored troops.

The Ukrainian army chief Olkesandr Syrskyj(Bild: glomex)

New Russian units
According to Syrskyj, the opponent is currently reinforcing its troops with new units, allowing the Russian army to achieve "temporary tactical success." The Ukrainian military could only succeed in achieving "technical superiority over the enemy through the use of high-tech weapons." Only in this way could the conditions be created to "strategically seize the initiative."

In addition, the training of the armed forces must be improved, particularly in the area of infantry. According to the army chief, the army wants to "strengthen the most problematic defense zones with electronic warfare and air defense."

Village captured
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the capture of a village in the east on Saturday. Eight people are said to have been killed in a Ukrainian attack in the partially occupied region of Zaporizhia in the south. According to Russian reports, two children are among the victims.

Waiting for military aid
The war-torn country is waiting for further military aid from the USA. Since the end of 2023, Republicans have been blocking a new aid package worth 60 billion dollars under pressure from former President Donald Trump. The US government has been the most important military supporter since the start of the war in February 2022.