War in Ukraine: Kyiv fends off numerous Russian attacks in the East

As the situation on the eastern front continues to deteriorate, Kyiv eagerly awaits the arrival of vital American weapons. Ukraine said on Monday it had repelled 55 attacks in the Donetsk region, in several villages north and east of Novobakhmutovka. Among these settlements is Otcheretino, where heavy fighting was reported on Sunday.

These villages are located north of the town of Advievka, which was captured by Russian soldiers in February. Since then, Moscow’s forces have advanced deeper into the Donetsk region.

Fiercely defended Krasnohorivka

Further south, Ukraine says its troops “continue to deter the enemy” in several locations west of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk, including in the town of Krasnohorivka. Kyiv claims that Russian troops, “with the support of aviation, tried 15 times to break through the defenses of our troops.”

Krasnohorivka is located approximately twenty kilometers west of Donetsk and is an important stronghold of Kyiv. The area has become more vulnerable since the fall of Marinka and Avdievka, and increased fighting has been reported in recent weeks.

Ukrainian army chief Alexander Syrsky said on Sunday that his men had withdrawn to new defensive positions further west in certain areas. Kyiv also warned that Russia would try to achieve some victories before May 9, a patriotic holiday commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany.

For its part, Moscow announced last weekend that it had seized a new village in eastern Ukraine, Novobakhmutovka.