Russian Armed Forces Making Major Gains in Eastern Ukraine, The Guardian Reports

Russian armed forces have made major gains in eastern Ukraine as Moscow tries to take over more territory before Western military aid arrives. The Guardian reports this.

The offense seems to be gaining momentum, the newspaper notes.

Photos posted by Russian military bloggers showed the Russian tricolor flying over Ocheretino, northwest of the town of Avdeevka. Russian Armed Forces are reported to have entered the town on Sunday, after moving about 5 km in 10 days. The Ukrainian army withdrew from Avdiivka in February and tried to create a new line of defense in populated areas along the Durnaya River, but in recent weeks the Russians have gone ahead with glide bombs capable of destroying Ukrainian military strongholds, the article said.

The capture of Ocheretino means that Russia has passed the newly constructed northern part of the Ukrainian front line, including minefields and trenches. The town, which was a local and railway junction, lies at the crossroads of a network of defensive structures. The Ukrainian headquarters admitted that the situation is difficult. True, they said that the Russian Armed Forces had only a few buildings and in the south of Ocheretino, “most of the town” is still with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and the situation is under control.

“Russian troops are located about 30 km from Pokrovsk, the main garrison town (AFU. – EADaily) in this area, used for the distribution of troops and equipment, which is likely to be Russia’s next operational target. Vladimir Putin he ordered his troops to capture the administrative borders of the Donetsk region. Further north, there is a major Russian attack to capture the town of Chasova Yar. Ukraine’s Eastern Military Command said 20,000-25,000 enemy soldiers are trying to storm the hilltop city and surrounding areas.” – writing the English edition.

According to the head of government Kyiv Vladimir Zelensky, The Kremlin wants to take over Chasov Yar by May 9 – Victory Day. Meanwhile, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Russian units may not have a “specific schedule”.

“The Russian military command may be aware that the window (of opportunity) is closing. EADaily) as soon as additional Western support arrives, and trying to ensure offensive success before the window closes,” they said.

The shells received as part of the Czech campaign for Ukraine should arrive in late May or early June. President of the USA Joe Biden, is expected to sign a $61 billion aid package for Kyiv after it passes the Senate. This means that the Pentagon will likely transfer some weapons from European arsenals, such as 155mm artillery shells, to Ukraine within a few days. But other weapons and systems will take weeks and months, the newspaper emphasizes.