cnn
Russian forces have begun a spring offensive in eastern Ukraine, including the use of dozens of tanks and armored vehicles, according to the Ukrainian military and analysts.
“With changing weather conditions, the Russian aggressor has stepped up pressure across several sections of the front,” Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Friday. “For several days running, the number of combat engagements has exceeded 200,” he added – claiming that the Russians were losing more than 1,000 soldiers a day.
“Active troop movements, reinforced artillery, tactical aviation and the widespread use of UAVs (drones) are being observed across all sectors, indicating that the Russian army is preparing for a further offensive,” Dmytro Zaporozhets of Ukraine’s 11th Corps told Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne on Saturday.
One focus of Russian attacks has been the town of Lyman in Donetsk, at the edge of what’s known as Ukraine’s fortress belt in the region, and a key strongpoint guarding the larger city of Sloviansk. Ukraine’s Third Corps said Saturday that the Russians had used nearly 30 armored vehicles along with more than 500 infantry in the area. But the Russian “attacks were thwarted on all fronts,” said the Corps’ commander, Brig. Gen. Andriy Biletsky.