Russia continues its offensive in several directions in Ukraine, but its successes on the frontlines have been minor recently, British intelligence reports in its daily bulletin.
Among such successes are the capture of the village of Krokhmalne in Kharkiv region and the village of Vesele near Bakhmut by Russian troops.
At the same time, Ukraine is focusing on active defense, according to intelligence.
According to its estimates, the main priority for Russian forces is Avdiivka – Russia is conducting a three-pronged offensive to surround the city.
"Ukrainian counterattacks are preventing Russian troops from advancing further to the city. As the main supply route for the Ukrainian army remains intact and Ukrainian forces are conducting localized counterattacks, Avdiivka is likely to remain under Ukrainian control for the coming weeks," British intelligence predicts.
The commander of the Ukrainian Tavria group of troops, Oleksandr Tarnavsky, said that the Russian army has significantly increased the number of offensive and assault operations.
According to him, for the second day in a row, Russia has been conducting 50 combat engagements daily. Tavria's troops have been hit by 100 air strikes, Tarnavsky said.
Background. To recap, The Guardian wrote that drones are making NATO doctrine obsolete, and a breakthrough in the war is almost impossible for either side.