Ukraine regains southern territories despite Russian gains on eastern front – Estonian intelligence
Керівник оперативного відділу Генерального штабу Естонії полковник Тармо Кундла. Фото: ohtuleht ee
Head of the Estonian operational department Tarmo Kundla says that Russian troops succeeded in attacking Ukraine's eastern positions near Kreminna.
However, the number of military clashes at the front has significantly decreased as Ukrainian troops continue pushing Russian forces to the south.
"Main efforts are likely to focus on the encirclement of Avdiivka, and additional resources may be expected to be drawn there," Kundla said.
Russia has had some success along the Kupiansk-Kreminna line and managed to capture small villages near Bakhmut. Enemy forces also succeeded in seizing smaller territories in the Donetsk region.
Ukrainian forces managed to liberate territories in settlements near Velyka Novosilka, as significant battles also continued in the eastern part of the Kherson region.
Kundla notes that despite some successes of the Russian forces, they have not been able to achieve anything to conduct a breakthrough.
"Ukraine must defend itself," he said.
Despite Russia's intensifying attacks on settlements over the past two weeks, these assaults did not weaken Ukraine's determination to defend themselves and their anti-aircraft defense.
"However, Ukrainians could better defend themselves if they had the technology to destroy platforms from which air strikes are carried out."
UK intelligence also assessed the situation on the Ukrainian front.
Over the past week, the situation continued to be characterized by either a static front line or localized advances by Russian troops in key areas.
In the north of the Donetsk region, Ukraine is holding a stable front line despite small-scale Russian attacks around Bakhmut.
"In the central part of Donetsk region, fierce fighting is still taking place for Avdiivka, while the occupiers consolidated their gains near Mariinka in late December 2023, allowing them to advance to the western outskirts of the city after nine years of fighting in the area," the report said.
The UK intelligence added that "in southern Ukraine, Russian airborne forces may have made minimal progress in a new attempt to dislodge the Ukrainian bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Dnipro near the village of Krynky."
