According to reports from Kiev, Russia has escalated its military offensives against Ukraine following the end of the two-day Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. In a Sunday evening update, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that the occupant has increased offensive and assault operations with intentions to breakthrough defense and dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions.
The situation report indicated that there had been 88 skirmishes, most of them in Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine—36 of them. Thus, Ukrainian forces could repulse 25 attacks, and 11 were still ongoing at the time of the report. It focused on Russian military efforts for breakthroughs near the city of Pokrovsk, mentioning 10 storming attempts by the Russian military on Ukrainian positions in the Lyman area and around Kurakhove.
The Ukrainian military said Moscow's air force had launched heavy glide bombs against defensive positions but the information could not be independently verified.
Since last autumn Ukraine has been on the defensive - delayed arms and ammunition supplies from Western allies putting it on the back foot. Recent resupplies have helped prevent further significant gains of territory by Russian forces but the front line remains precarious.
Read also | Twelve Nations, Including India, Abstain from Signing Ukraine Peace Summit Communique
Read also | Iran Defends Peaceful Nuclear Program Amid G7 Criticism
