Russia says it has breached two fortified defense lines in eastern Ukraine, and Western allies have promised more military aid to better arm Kyiv as it braces for a counterattack.

battle fronts

Moscow has been delivering sustained strikes against Ukrainian positions in the east and moving troops into the region, although forces loyal to Kyiv remain unmoved, senior Ukrainian officials have said.

Ukrainian forces have repulsed several Russian attacks, but the situation remains difficult, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the Ukrainian military, near Bakhmut, Russian forces attacked more than 15 towns and villages, including the town itself.

According to Ukrainian military analysts, Moscow troops attacked several settlements, including Paraskoviyivka north of Bakhmut, as well as the villages of Opitnoye and Klychevka to the south.

The Russian Defense Ministry, for its part, said earlier that Ukrainian forces retreated in the face of Russian strikes in the Luhansk region, without giving details.

At the same time, six Russian balloons were seen over Kiev, most of which were shot down after the use of air defense systems, the capital’s military department said.

On the other hand, according to the think tank’s analysis, Russia has lost about half of its best tanks in the past year since invading Ukraine and is struggling to replace them.

International assistance

EU High Representative Josep Borrell urged countries to follow Germany’s lead and send tanks to Ukraine following media reports that Denmark and the Netherlands were reluctant to transfer Leopard 2 tanks.

Meanwhile, NATO countries are ramping up production of artillery munitions as Ukraine launches missiles much faster than the West can build them, the alliance said.

However, the Ukrainian state-owned weapons manufacturer said it had begun joint production of shells with the Central European NATO nation and plans to develop and produce additional weapons and military equipment with allies.

On the other hand, the Russian parliament will hold an extraordinary meeting on February 22, which will consider the adoption of laws on the integration of four regions into the Russian Federation, RIA Novosti reports citing the deputy.

Source: Reuters.