Ukrainian forces are advancing near Kremnina, a city held by the Russian army

While for weeks there was rather a stalemate on the fronts of the war between Russia and Ukrainethe Ukrainian army announced yesterday that its forces advanced towards the strategically important city of Kremnina, in the Luhansk region (east).

The city, under the occupation of the Russian army, is considered a gateway to the larger urban centers of Severodonetsk and Lisitsansk.

Recapturing the city would allow Ukrainian troops to move toward Starobilsk, a transit hub through which Russian military units in northeastern Ukraine are supplied.

“Our soldiers continue their offensive operations in the area of ​​the city of Kremnina” and this week “advanced 2.5 kilometers” in its direction, Brigadier General Oleksii Khromov said.

The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported earlier that the Russian army is massing forces in the Lugansk region and is preparing for a major battle.

The military governor of Lugansk, Serhii Heidai, also spoke via Telegram about the concentration of Russian forces and heavy fighting around Kremnina, as reported by the German Agency and relayed by the Athens News Agency.

In Russia’s southern Saratov region, air defense systems shot down a Ukrainian UAV near Engels 2 military airfield, a strategic bomber base, authorities said. This base, deep in Russiasuffered two attacks in December.