Ukraine reported on Monday that fighting along the frontline has intensified, with some success in pushing Russian forces back in a southeastern area, as Ukrainian troops attempt to reclaim territory occupied by Russia. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar stated that "the widely spread Russian mines and strong fortifications undermine progress."
In a statement on an official military platform, she clarified that "the Ukrainian army has achieved success near the village of Staromaiorsk, which is about 60 miles southeast of Donetsk, currently under Russian control, in addition to continuing combat on two fronts in the south." She noted that "forces are engaged in battles to regain control over the neighboring Oruzhehyn," and added, "combat operations are occurring near Oruzhehyn... and some progress has been made on the southern and southeastern axes near Staromaiorsk."
In response, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu asserted that "Russian weapons are proving their worth in Ukraine." He stated in remarks broadcast on state television that "the hype surrounding Western weapons has proven to be far from ideal during the fighting in Ukraine."
