The Russian army has again attempted to break through Ukrainian defense lines around the town of Kurakhove on the edge of Ukraine’s eastern Donbass region.
Of a total of 108 Russian attacks along the eastern Ukraine front, 39 took place on the Kurakhove section, the General Staff in Kiev said in its evening situation report, adding that the Russian attacks, supported by artillery, were repulsed.
The information could not be independently verified. Russian troops have been attacking this part of the front with enormous force for weeks in an attempt to break through the Ukrainian lines.
Heavy fighting was also reported in the nearby Pokrovsk region. In addition to artillery, Russian forces also used fighter planes there, dropping guided glide bombs on Ukrainian positions. Fifteen Russian attacks were repelled there during the day, Kiev said.
Russian forces want to expand their previous territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. A breakthrough at Kurakhove or Pokrovsk would pave the way for Russian units to penetrate deep behind the Ukrainian defense lines.
