Kyiv’s forces are making small advances in various frontline areas of southeast Ukraine, treading carefully as Russia launches aerial assaults on their positions, according to a spokesperson with the National Guard of Ukraine.
“The Russians are actively using attack drones,” including Russian-made Lancets and the Iranian-manufactured Shaheds, according to Andrii Kulish, a press officer for the National Guard’s “Rubizh” brigade.
“We are advancing in small steps because we are taking care of our people. And we are making progress,” Kulish said on national television Sunday.
Ukraine’s military says Russian forces have focused attacks in the areas of Avdiivka and Marinka — a pair of nearby small cities in the Donetsk region — and are also active in the directions of Berdiansk and Melitopol further south.
“In the last 24 hours, the enemy attacked our positions 20 times. In addition, they made 603 attacks using tanks, (multiple rocket launchers) and cannon artillery,” the Tavria defense forces, which is leading the fight in those areas, said via its press center.
“Hottest spot” on the front line: The military grouping said it is “holding back the Russian offensive” near Marinka, adding that it has recorded 18 clashes between troops there over the last 24 hours.
“The intensity of the enemy’s assault actions in Marinka is increasing,” it continued, claiming the Russian assaults include fighters from Russia’s Storm-Z units, which are made up of convicts.
The area is “definitely the hottest spot” on the front line — especially near Oleksandrivka, which neighbors Marinka, the Tavria group said.
Further south: The Tavria defense forces also continue its offensive in areas surrounding Melitopol and Berdiansk, “consolidating their positions, inflicting artillery fire on the enemy targets identified, and carrying out counter-battery operations,” the military grouping said.
Closer to the city of Zaporizhzhia, Russian forces have received reinforcements in the town of Robotyno, a town that a Ukrainian fighter said Saturday is under full Ukrainian fire control.
CNN cannot independently verify battlefield claims from either side in the conflict.
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