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.