DIRECT. War in Ukraine: Russia gains ground and claims the capture of a new village on the Eastern front

The village of Novobakhmoutivka taken by the Russians

Russia claimed this Sunday the capture of a new village on the Eastern Front, Novobakhmutivka, in a sector where Moscow’s forces have advanced rapidly over the past week in the face of a defensive Ukrainian army.

“Through active operations, units of the Central Group of Forces liberated the village of Novobakhmutivka,” located northwest of the town of Avdiivka captured by Moscow in February, the Russian Defense Ministry said in its report daily.

This village is located near that of Ocherytne, quickly invaded this week by Russian forces who currently control most of it according to observers, which has sparked criticism from Ukrainian military bloggers. The Telegram channel DeepState, close to the Ukrainian army and followed by more than 700,000 people, blamed the command of a unit deployed there, the 115th motorized brigade, for “the collapse of defenses throughout the region, causing considerable losses.

Ukrainian forces have been facing a Russian push on the front since the fall of Avdiivka, with Moscow’s forces eating away at an opponent lacking men and ammunition. The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, admitted in mid-April that the situation on the Eastern Front had “significantly deteriorated”. He said he had seen a “significant intensification” of the Russian offensive since March, resulting in “tactical successes”. In this context, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov predicted on Monday that the situation will worsen around mid-May and early June, which will be a “difficult period” for Ukraine.

“A complex operational and strategic situation which tends to worsen”, according to a Ukrainian commander in chief

The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, warned on Saturday of a “complex operational and strategic situation”, which “has a tendency to worsen”. He also recalled Ukraine’s urgent needs for missiles, ammunition, weapons and military equipment.

Ukraine wants to reverse the trend in Ocheretyne

According to our British colleagues from Guardian Russia has sent more troops to Ocheretyne in eastern Ukraine to bolster its offensive there, but kyiv’s forces largely hold the village and expect U.S. arms deliveries are turning the tide in their favor, the Ukrainian military said.

Volodymyr Zelensky wants more missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his calls to partners for more defensive missiles – including the Patriot system – and faster deliveries, following the fourth large-scale air attack on the energy system in five weeks.

Ukrainian energy infrastructure targeted by the Russians

Ukraine yesterday faced damage from a new “massive” Russian missile attack on its energy infrastructure, which damaged four thermal power plants and caused power outages, while kyiv targeted two refineries in Russia with drones .

Russia says it prevented drone attack last night

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement posted on Telegram this morning that “during the night, a new attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks using drones against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation was prevented.”