Russian attackers and Ukrainian defenders have again engaged in fierce battles over the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
The General Staff in Kiev said in its situation report on Wednesday night that 35 Russian attacks were reported around the city on the edge of the Donbass during the day.
“There are three Russian armies stationed here against us,” the UNIAN news agency quoted regional commander Viktor Trehubov as saying.
He said, “The battles here are very intense as the Russian occupiers are throwing all available forces forward and trying to break through the defensive lines of our troops.”
In the forced attacks on Pokrovsk, the Russian invaders reportedly suffered heavy losses. On the previous day alone, 133 Russian soldiers were killed, he said.
These figures could not be independently verified.
The Russian army is trying to advance as close as possible to the outskirts of Pokrovsk and break through the left and right flanks of the defenders.
Trehubov described the situation, saying, “Since fighting in the city itself is very unpleasant, the enemy is trying to sideline battles in order to force the Ukrainian forces to retreat and avoid a frontal attack.”
