Advancing Russian forces came close to encircling Ukrainian troops in the east of the country, temporarily taking positions on the last highway exiting two crucial cities under Ukrainian command, before being forced to retreat, a Ukrainian official said on Thursday. 26).
Taking the road would isolate remaining Ukrainian troops in the east of the country, and could give Russia a significant advantage in the region.
Russia, which invaded Ukraine on February 24, chose to retreat from the outskirts of the capital Kiev and invest in eastern regions of the country – an area closest to the Russian border and with the presence of separatist groups. Controlling the Donbass region, where the self-declared (and recognized by Vladimir Putin) People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk are located, and the Crimea peninsula, taken in 2014, Russia would create an important area under its command in Ukrainian territory.
In the Donetsk region is the port city of Mariupol, which suffered from bombing and is under Russian control. The Azovstal steelworks was considered one of the last pockets of Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol, but it was taken over by the Russians last Friday (20), according to the Russian army.
On Thursday, a senior Ukrainian army officer said during an update that Russia was at the forefront in the fight in the Luhansk region.
“Russia has the upper hand, but we are doing everything we can,” said General Oleksiy Gromov.
Bombings in Kharkiv
At least four civilians were killed, and many more wounded, during bombing in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, on Thursday, according to local authorities.
“The invaders are bombing the central region again,” region governor Oleh Synehubov said via a Telegram message.
After periods of intense conflict, the region appeared to be calmer in recent days with the retaking of territories in the surroundings by Ukrainian troops, forcing a retreat from the Russians.
Metro service had resumed on Tuesday, and authorities asked people who had been using the stations as shelters to withdraw.
With information from Reuters.
*Under supervision.
Source: CNN Brasil
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