Russian troops have not registered any major advances in Ukraine since Friday morning despite the heightened military activity, the UK’s military intelligence service reported on Saturday morning, adding that counterattacks by the Ukrainians continued to block Russia’s efforts.
Fierce fighting continued near Mariupol, the service said, while Russia claims that it already occupies almost all of the city. This would delay the Russian plan to conquer the Donbas, Belga News Agency reports. Additionally, “Russian troops are not in control of the air nor of the sea, due to the “effectiveness of the Ukrainian defence.”
The Russian troops have increased the number of attacks in the Donbas region. Towards Donetsk, the Russians have been carrying out attacks throughout the frontline, it said.
According to Kyiv, the biggest Russian strikes have been against Luhansk, which is also in the Donbas region. There have also been reports of attacks against the towns of Rubizhne, Popasna and Marïnka, which were beaten back.
Reports of attacks have also come in from further north, in the Kharkiv area, and from the south, but this information could not be independently verified.
