Putin army's advances slow but Ukraine forces with munitions shortages 'struggling to hold positions' - UK

Advances by Vladimir Putin’s army in eastern Ukraine have slowed but a shortage of munitions for Ukrainian forces is likely making it more difficult for them to hold positions, British defence chiefs said.

The pace of the Russian operations is believed to have gone down partly due to Putin’s military suffering “heavy losses” when seizing the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk province.

In its latest intelligence update, the Ministry of Defence in London said: “Russian forces continue to focus operations in Donetsk Oblast (province), eastern Ukraine, making minor gains. They have attempted to expand areas of control north-west of Donetsk city and are highly likely contesting a string of villages including Orlivka, Tonenke, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske.

“Russian advances have slowed in recent weeks, likely partially due to heavy losses sustained in the Avdiivka campaign. The situation remains unstable, with Ukrainian shortages of personnel and munitions likely limiting their ability to hold positions.”

In Moscow, the Russian Defence Ministry said its troops had captured the village of Tonenke in eastern Ukraine, about five miles west of Avdiivka.

As Putin’s forces gain ground, Ukraine, Joe Biden’s administration, Britain and other allies have urged Republicans in Washington to stop blocking a huge new military aid package which is leading to munition shortages on the frontline.

Earlier on Thursday, the Ukrainian Army General Staff said it had repelled 14 Russian army attacks near six villages in the Donetsk province, including Tonenke.

Putin’s military launched its largest missile attack in weeks on Kyiv and the surrounding region early Thursday, injuring at least 17 people including a young girl.

The Ukrainian air force said its defences shot down all the inbound missiles that were fired after a 44-day pause in such attacks on the Ukrainian capital.

The damage appeared to have been caused by falling debris.

“Every day and every night there is such terror. The world’s unity can stop it when it helps us with air defence systems. Now we need this defence here in Ukraine,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Putin accused Kyiv last week of launching attacks to disrupt the Russian presidential election, widely condemned as a sham, that handed him six more years in power, and threatened that Ukraine would be punished for that.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has launched thousands of missiles and drones on Ukrainian cities, towns and villages in attacks that have killed thousands of civilians.

The Ukrainian military has said Russia launched over 8,000 missiles on Ukraine in the first two years of the war.

Ukraine has gradually stepped up its air strikes on Russia.