Russian forces attacked the northern and southern parts of the front line in the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine on Friday, despite Kyiv's assertions that Moscow had reduced its assaults near the city of Bakhmut. Ukrainian military reports indicated intense fighting in the northern sector of the front line extending from Lyman to Kupiansk, as well as in the south in Avdiivka on the outskirts of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk. These two regions are among Moscow's primary targets in attacks launched during the winter to fully control Ukraine's industrial Donbas region.
So far, the Russian assault has resulted in only minor gains, despite thousands of soldiers from both sides being killed in the bloodiest battle of the war. At a Ukrainian artillery position in the lush pine forests behind the northern front, troops fired 155 mm shells from the French TRF-1 howitzer toward a highway used to supply the Russian-occupied stronghold of Kreminna. A soldier told Reuters, "Fortunately, we maintain the same position… because we face a very strong enemy that has very good weapons. It's a professional army and airborne troops."
The situation on the front lines has rarely changed since November, despite fierce fighting. Ukraine managed to reclaim vast territories in the second half of 2022, but its forces have maintained a defensive posture since then, while Russia has taken an offensive stance, utilizing the services of hundreds of thousands of new reservists and convicts from its prisons.
As spring arrives, Ukrainians are questioning how long the Russian offensive can last and whether Ukraine can reverse the tide of the war and launch a counter-offensive, and when that could occur. The commander of Ukraine's ground forces stated yesterday that the Russian attack on Bakhmut, which is witnessing the largest battles of the war, appears to be losing momentum and that Kyiv may soon initiate its own offensive.
