Russian troops escalate assaults on eastern Kupiansk front

Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar stresses tensions on the eastern Ukraine front, particularly in the Kupiansk direction in the Kharkiv region. 

However, Ukrainian forces successfully repel on-ground attacks, holding positions all over the Kharkiv-Luhansk direction.

For two days in a row, the enemy has been actively advancing in the Kupyansk sector in Kharkiv region. We are on the defense. There are fierce battles, the positions of the parties are changing dynamically several times a day.

We are gradually moving forward in the Bakhmut direction. On the southern flank around Bakhmut, there is a daily advance. On the northern flank, we are trying to hold our positions, but the enemy is assaulting.

In Bakhmut itself, we are shelling the enemy, the enemy is shelling us, said the defense ministry spokesperson.

Maliar also noted the enemy continues offensive actions in the Avdiivka and Marinka directions, but the front line is not changing.

Colonel Valerii Shershen said Ukrainian forces advanced by more than a kilometer in the Berdiansk direction.

Fierce fighting and maneuvers continue, assault units are consolidating their positions, he said.

As for the Berdiansk direction, Ukrainian troops are conducting aerial reconnaissance, clearing mines, inflicting fire on Russian troops, and working on counter-battery measures. At the same time, the situation in the Melitopol direction sees no changes.

Overall, Ukrainian troops continue the offensive in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions and are holding up their positions. The troops are inflicting artillery fire on the enemy targets and conducting counter-battery operations.

According to the General Staff, over the past day, July 15, Ukrainian soldiers eliminated about 500 invaders, and since the beginning of the Russian aggression, the occupiers have lost almost 237,700 troops.

The areas in front of the Russian defenses are densely mined, and the Ukrainian counteroffensive is progressing slowly. On the eve of it, Ukraine received less than 15% of all the sapper and engineering equipment it had requested from its Western partners, according to TWP.