Russia Intensives Attacks In Eastern Region, Ukraine Focuss On Maintaining The Defense Line

The Ukrainian military in Bakhmut. (Wikimedia Commons/30th Prince Constanty Ostragski Mechanized Brigade)

JAKARTA - Russian troops intensified attacks along the frontline in the eastern region on Friday, as Ukraine focuses on defending its defensive line

Supported by tens of thousands of reserve troops, Russia has intensified ground attacks across southern and eastern Ukraine, when the invasion, which began February 24, last year, will turn around a year.

Russia's new major attack appears to have begun, with the Governor of the Lugansk Region in eastern Ukraine reporting a significant increase in Russia's attack on Friday along the frontline there.

"Today was rather difficult in any direction as the number of attacks increased significantly, shootings also increased a lot, even with the air force," governor Serhiy Haidai told Ukrainian television broadcasters.

"There is constant effort to break through our defensive line," he said of fighting near the city of Kreminna.

Earlier, Russia rained Ukraine with missiles on Thursday and attacked its largest oil refinery. Of the approximately 36 missiles fired by Russia, about 16 were shot down, Ukraine's air force said, lower than usual.

Meanwhile, Ukraine said Thursday's attacks included missiles that could not be shot down by its air defenses, which would only increase the urgency of its request for more Western military support.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening video address his priority was to contain Russian attacks and get ready to face Ukraine's retaliatory attacks.

"Keeping the situation on the front lines and preparing enemy escalation measures is a priority in the near future," President Zelensky said.

Meanwhile, US officials have advised Ukraine to delay any retaliatory attacks until the latest supply of weapons from Uncle Sam's country is available and training has been provided.

Russia's focus today is on the small town of Bakhmut in Donetsk, one of the two regions that formed the Donbas, Ukraine's industrial center now partially occupied by Russia.

In a battle led by the Wagner group flooded with recruits from prison, Russia has for months attacked and surrounded Bakhmut. Most of the city's 70 thousand people have left, leaving the surviving Ukrainian army.

"They (Russia) sent a lot of troops. I don't think it's sustainable for them to continue attacking this way," said Ukrainian 80th Air Attack Brigade press officer Taras Dzioba.

"There is a place where their bodies are stacked just like that. There are ditches where... they don't evacuate those who are injured or killed."

Dzioba spoke as he stood near the Howitzer battery outside the defense bunker, near the Bakhmut front line.

It is known that the occupation of Bakhmut will give Russia a stepping stone to advance to two larger, further to the west, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk cities.

However, Ukraine and its allies say seizing Bakhmut will be a major victory given the months that have been taken and the harm they say Russia has suffered.