Russian-backed official says half of Donetsk under Moscow control, advance difficult

Advancement in certain areas of Donetsk is difficult, a top Moscow-installed official in eastern Ukraine's occupied territories said. He added that more than half of them were under Russian control.

In September, Moscow declared Donetsk People's Republic as Ukraine's own. This was in an exercise that Ukraine and its allies decried as a "sham" or coercive referendum.

"A little over half of the territory in the Donetsk People's Republic was liberated," Denis Pushilin (Russian-installed administrator) told Russian state-owned news agency RIA.

The region has been in turmoil since began fighting in recent weeks, leaving it unclear as to which areas of Donetsk are now under Russian or Ukrainian control.

Russia claims to be slowly advancing its positions. The defence ministry said Monday that it had killed 30 Ukrainian military personnel in its offensive there the day before.

Pushilin stated that the situation was difficult along the Lyman line in the region's northern. Ukraine had freed Lyman just hours after Putin declared the annexation in September.

Pushilin stated that "The situation is still difficult, the enemy wants to counterattack, but now our units are holding all positions," RIA cited Pushilin. "It's not always possible for us to move forward."

According to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zeleskiy, Russia's continued shelling of Donetsk's frontline has completely destroyed Bakhmut, and severely damaged Avdiivka which lies in the centre of the region.

The general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces stated Monday that Russia continued to concentrate its efforts in advance and capture of both cities.

It stated in an evening update that "Near Bakhmut the occupiers rained mortar & artillery fire upon nearly 20 settlements." The military stated that nine settlements were under attack near Avdiivka.

The British defense ministry said that Russia is still likely to plan deeper advances in Donetsk but questioned its ability to do so.

It stated that it was highly unlikely that the Russian military could generate an effective strike force capable of retaking these regions.

"Russian ground forces will not make significant operational advances in the next few months."

Share this article: