Ukrainian troops are in a “difficult” situation near the city of Chasiv Yar in the east of the country, where Russia is concentrating its offensive, the Ukrainian army reported to AFP on Monday.

Moscow has made progress on this front in recent months, strengthening its advantage as Kyiv faces a shortage of ammunition supplied by its Western allies.

“The situation regarding Chasivskyi Yar is complicated and tense, and this is not the first day,” said the press officer of the 26th artillery brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleg Kalashnikov.

“Today (Monday) the enemy’s shock and assault actions are concentrated. They are trying to break through our defenses to get to Chasiv Yar,” he added.

He added that Russia has increased the use of powerful guided bombs in the area and is “launching them at populated areas and at our fortified positions.”

Ukraine has been on the defensive for months due to a lack of ammunition. A $60 billion (€55 billion) aid package promised by Washington has been blocked for months by political rivalry between Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress.

On Friday, the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces said that Russia’s summer offensive involving 100,000 troops is “possible,” but that this is “the bleakest forecast.”