This video, released by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, shows the devastating impact of the shells of a Russian TOS-1A that hit Ukrainian positions near Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region on May 26th. (Armed Forces of Ukraine / Cover Images / Reuters)
Russian forces are deploying a wide range of weapons on several fronts in eastern Ukraine as they try to break through stubborn Ukrainian defenses, which are outnumbered and out of arms, according to Ukrainian officials.
Several of these officials describe the situation as “very difficult” and admit that Ukrainian units may have to retreat in some places.
In recent days, Ukrainian officials say, Russians have combined short-range ballistic missiles, multi-launch rocket systems, heavy artillery and tanks in a relentless bombardment of towns and cities in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions still under Ukrainian control. .
The National Police of Ukraine said civilians were killed in attacks on 13 settlements in Donetsk, with several cities that had not been previously attacked with damage. Russian forces appear to be expanding the number of cities bombing as they try to destroy Ukraine’s defenses and supply lines.
Its main target seems to be to take Sloviansk, which has seen an increase in bombing in recent days. Mayor Vadym Liakh said half of the city is now without water and that “there will be no gas supply until the heating season.”
A growing number of Ukrainian officials describe the military situation in serious terms, although Russian advances on the ground have been modest.
Fedir Venislavskyi, a member of the Ukrainian parliament who is a member of the National Security Committee, described the situation as “difficult”.
He told Ukrainian television that “the hottest spots are Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. The enemy is trying to encircle our troops.”
The twin cities of Luhansk are almost completely destroyed, but Ukrainian troops are still present. It is estimated that there are still about 15,000 civilians in Severodonetsk.
According to the latest assessment of the battlefield of the Institute for the Study of War, “Russian forces may have to carry out a ground offensive in Severodonetsk in the coming days to maintain its pace after engaging in a important part of the personnel, artillery, aviation and logistics at the front. “
Venislavskyi said that if the Russians could break Ukraine’s resistance there, “their next targets are Bakhmut, Soledar,” cities further west.
In particular, regional officials say the highway linking Bakhmut and Lysychansk, a resupply route for Ukrainian forces, is under constant attack.
“The enemy partially controls Lyman and goes to the outskirts of Severodonetsk. The situation in this operational area will be very difficult in the coming days,” he said.
He also suggested that additional Russian forces were joining, saying that “the enemy continues to build up reserves near Izium to attack Sloviansk and Barvinkove.”
“The enemy is sending units from the Primorsky Krai, the Far East and Siberia to Ukraine. Groups of battalions are being formed, loaded on the railway and sent to Ukraine,” Venislavskyi said.
A building damaged in a missile attack in the city of Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on May 26. (Carlos Barria / Reuters)
Serhiy Haidai, head of the Luhansk regional military administration, said that “the Armed Forces have been defending for a quarter of a month. Our defensive positions are being destroyed by the enemy every day.”
“The Luhansk region, the part that is under the control of Ukraine, is very small in terms of territory. Therefore, the Russians will do everything possible to take it. For them, this is the easiest way. to achieve at least an intermediate victory. … Our forces are gradually moving towards more fortified positions, “he said.
Haidai is one of several Ukrainian officials who stresses that the defenses in the east are far outnumbered.
“We need to understand that a lot of teams and people are fighting us,” he said.
“It takes time [Western] weapons to reach us. They have to move from west to east of Ukraine. One or two shells will not change position; we will simply lose them. So we have to wait and regroup, “Haidai said.
He also acknowledged the likelihood of Ukrainian forces having to retreat.
“Maybe we should leave another two settlements. But we should win the war, not the battle,” Haidai said.
Rostyslav Smirnov, an adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, told Ukrainian television that “the advantage of the Russians in [terms of] staff is eight to one “, and the advantage in equipment is more than double.