Last week, Russia launched its largest assaults in eight months in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, aiming to cut off key supply routes and force Ukrainian retreat. As Russia advanced, Ukraine retaliated by hitting Russian energy infrastructure and occupying Crimea, indicating that its strategy to degrade Russian air defenses is effective. British military intelligence suggested that Russian casualties in May and June reached record highs of 70,000 soldiers.
Russia’s assaults targeted central and southern Donetsk, leading to significant casualties for their troops. Ukraine managed to stop Russian attempts to seize key highways supplying Ukrainian garrisons, demonstrating their ability to defend against Russian advances. Despite some successes, Russia continues to press forward, claiming territory and making strategic advances.
Ukraine also had successes on the ground, pushing back Russian troops in various regions and launching deep strikes inside Russian and occupied territory. Ukrainian Army Tactical Missiles struck Russian airfields in Crimea and missile strikes hit strategic bombers and military facilities in Russia. Ukrainian drones have been successful in damaging Russian energy and military infrastructure, limiting the capabilities of the Black Sea Fleet.
Overall, the conflict in eastern Ukraine remains intense, with both sides making strategic gains and suffering losses. The situation is fluid, with Russia advancing on key highways and Ukraine launching strikes behind enemy lines to disrupt Russian operations. The ongoing conflict underscores the continued tensions between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting the complexities of the situation in the region.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com