General Staff: Russian forces prepare for offensive on two fronts

OLHA HLUSHCHENKO - MONDAY, 9 MAY 2022, 06:46

Russian troops are concentrating their forces and preparing to advance on populated areas on the Izium and Donetsk fronts.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: The greatest activity of the invaders is observed on the Slobozhanskyi and Donetsk fronts.

Meanwhile, there is still a high probability of missile strikes throughout Ukraine.

No signs of the formation of offensive groups by the invaders have been detected on the Volyn, Polissia, and Siversk fronts. Individual units of the Republic of Belarus continue performing tasks to reinforce protection of the Ukrainian-Belarusian border.

There have been no active Russian offensives on the Slobozhanskyi front. Russian troops are focusing on regrouping their units, replenishing ammunition and fuel, maintaining previously occupied positions, and preventing the Ukrainian Defence Forces from advancing towards the state border.

On the Izium front, Russian units from the 1st Tank Army, the 20th Combined Arms of the Western Military District and the 29th, 35th and 36th Armies of the 68th Army Corps of the Eastern Military District and airborne troops are preparing to continue the offensive along the Sulyhivka - Nova Dmytrivka and Sulyhivka - Kurulka fronts.

Up to 19 battalion tactical groups have been concentrated on the territory of the Russian Federation in the Belgorod region in order to prevent the advance of Ukrainian Armed Forces. Personnel and military equipment continue to be deployed to re-supply the units that have suffered significant losses on Ukrainian territory.

On the Donetsk front, Russian troops, supported by aviation and artillery, have focused their main efforts on attempting to take the towns of Rubizhne and Popasna and on preparing to continue their offensive operations towards Siversk, Sloviansk, Lysychansk, and Avdiivka. They have increased their firepower and are trying to break the defences of Ukrainian troops.

On the Tavriia front, the Russians are demonstratively trying to restrain Ukrainian troops and are improving their logistical support system.

The invaders have not engaged in active combat operations along the Pivdennyi Buh front. They have concentrated on shelling the positions of Ukrainian Armed Forces using artillery, including multiple rocket launchers.

In the temporarily occupied territory of the Zaporizhzhia region, there have been cases of personal documents being taken away from the local population without valid reasons. The documents are said to be returned when the residents take part in celebrations to mark Victory Day.

In the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Russian occupation forces were actively preparing for ceremonial parades.

The situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova has not changed. Local armed formations and subunits of the operational group of Russian troops remain on full alert.

During Sunday, 8 May, air defence units of the Ukrainian Air Force and Ground Forces hit 10 aerial targets of the Russian occupants, including 6 Orlan-10 type drones, 1 Forpost type UAV, and 3 cruise missiles.

In the Donetsk and Luhansk Regions, Ukrainian defenders and guards have successfully repelled 6 attacks by the Russian troops over the past 24 hours, destroying 20 Russian tanks, 1 artillery system, 28 units of armoured combat vehicles, 1 special armoured vehicle, and 5 motor vehicles.