British military intelligence said that Russia had intensified its operations in the Donbas as part of its efforts to encircle Severodonetsk, Lysychansk and Rubizhno.
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“In the direction of Bachmut, the enemy improved his tactical position in the area of the settlement of Vasylivka. The attackers are regrouping their troops, strengthening their units in order to resume offensive actions in the direction of Vasylivka – Kamenskoye, “the general staff said in a report.
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To cover this operation, Russia concentrated rocket launchers and artillery.
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Vasylivka belonging to the district of Soledar lies on the route of supply of Ukrainian forces in Severodonetsk-Lysychansk.
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This is the southern part of the supposed “pliers”, the BBC noted. The Russians would like to encircle the Ukrainian troops in the Donbas, because they are unable to advance despite the deep defense.
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British intelligence said that the northern and southern tips of the pliers are only 25 km apart. If they controlled the pocket near Severodonetsk, the Russians would gain almost the entire Luhansk region, the intelligence warned.
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Intense fighting is taking place throughout the East and to the depths of the defense of our troops in the Donetsk, Slochansk and South Buk areas, admits the command of the Ukrainian army. The Russian army is leading the strongest attacks in the Donetsk region, specifically in Lysychansk and Severodonetsk.
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To support the offensive, the Russians deployed additional artillery units in southern Izjum.
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The Ukrainian General Staff warns that the threat of rocket and air strikes against Ukraine from Belarus is growing. The Russian army has moved the Iskander-M division to the Brest region, which is about 50 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.
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Near Kharkov, the Russians are focusing on maintaining their positions and improving their tactical position.
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The command of the Ukrainian army claims that in the last 24 hours, sixteen enemy attacks in the direction of Donetsk and Luhansk were repulsed, eight tanks, twenty-two armored vehicles and one enemy vehicle were destroyed.
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The air force and air defense shot down six Russian drones, a missile with a flat flight path and 30 armored vehicles, said the Ukrainian staff. This information cannot be verified from independent sources.
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