This is reported by The New York Times.
"Since the war has been going on for the third year, the Ukrainians find themselves in the minority in terms of numbers and weapons. After dominating the fighting in the first year and mostly fighting to the bone in the second, they gave in to the momentum of Russia. Now they are digging in and fighting to hold on," the newspaper writes.
"Now we don't have enough equipment and people to go on the offensive. Therefore, the main task at the moment is to maintain the current positions," the newspaper quoted the deputy battalion commander of the 47th mechanized brigade, Lieutenant Oleksandr Shirshin.
The epicenter of hostilities remains the Avdiyivka district in the east of the Donetsk region, where the offensive of the Russian army continues. The Russians are tunneling under the streets and directing unmanned vehicles filled with explosives to Ukrainian positions. In addition, Russia is sending stormtroopers trying to gain control of the industrial area on the outskirts of the city.
"Even small successes of Russia create risks for Ukraine. The capture of Maryinka after many years of fighting enabled the Russians to open a new line of attack on another city, Vugledar, from the north," the article reads.
British intelligence has warned that Russia is likely to "continue this level of offensive activity for the foreseeable future."
"If the Russians are interested in a specific section of the front, they will raze it to the ground," said Major Serhii Bets, chief of staff of the 48th separate rifle battalion of the 72nd mechanized brigade.
