Ukraine says Russia is advancing on four fronts, including the strategic city of Soledar in the east.
On January 14, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that in addition to the fierce battle for control of the city of Soledar in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, Russia is focusing its offensive efforts on the Bakhmut front. simultaneously attacked the Lyman, Avdiivka, and Novopavlivka fronts.
“The enemy has not given up his intention of taking complete control of the Donetsk region. For this purpose, they are focusing their main efforts on the assaults on the Bakhmut front. Meanwhile, the fierce battles for Soledar are underway. (Ukraine) soldiers repel the enemy’s attacks 24/7. The enemy suffered heavy losses”, the notice said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that the situation in Soledar is very difficult and that the city is one of the “bloodiest” fronts today. However, he affirmed, the Ukrainian army will continue to hold on.
According to the Ukrainian military, Russia is also conducting attacks on the Lyman, Avdiivka, and Novopavlivka fronts. “They are trying to improve their tactical position on the Kupiansk front, while also defending on the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts,” the statement added.
“In the last 24 hours, Russia has carried out 3 air strikes and about 50 missile attacks. In the morning, the capital Kiev was attacked when Russia used S-400 (S-) air defense-guided missiles. 300) from the north, Russia then used high-precision weapons: Kh-101/Kh-555, Kh-22 air-launched cruise missile, Kalibr sea-launched cruise missile and Kh-59 air-guided missiles on important Ukrainian infrastructure,” the Ukrainian military added.
According to the Ukrainian military, in total Russia launched about 28 cruise missiles from the sea and the air, as well as 5 air-launched guided missiles. 18 cruise missiles and 3 air-launched missiles were shot down by units of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in cooperation with units of other components of the Ukrainian Self-Defense Forces. In addition, Russia carried out 50 attacks with multiple rocket launchers.
The Ukrainian military said there were no significant changes on the Volyn, Polissia, Sivershchyna, and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, where no Russian strike groups were present. Ukraine accuses Belarus of continuing to participate in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, opening its territory and airspace to allow Russia to carry out attacks, as well as providing ammunition and logistical resources.
Earlier, in December 2022, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and Army Commander Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said that in February, Russia will launch a new military operation from Belarusian territory against Kiev. However, Ukrainian military intelligence believes that the probability of an attack from Belarus is very low.
Belarus confirmed that it participated in the military operation in Ukraine, but did not send troops to fight directly. In November 1022, Belarus announced the creation of a joint military force with Russia to deal with the growing threat from NATO on its western border.
