Russian occupying forces are attempting to attack Donetsk Region from multiple sides – yet the advance of the Russian army has still not brought tangible success, with one month of offensive operations seeing the invaders advance into just 10 kilometers of Ukrainian territory.
The Ukrainian military has managed to halt the Russian offensive in Donetsk Region and, at the same time, gradually begin liberating occupied territories in the south.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has confirmed that fighting continued near Kodema and Pisky in Donetsk Region on August 12. The Russians had success on Horlivka – Zaitseve front. They also launched an offensive in the direction of the settlements of Verkhnokamianske and Ivano-Daryivka – but were unsuccessful and retreated.
At the same time, invaders waged offensive battles in the directions of Ivano-Daryivka, Vyimka, Bakhmut, Vesela Dolyna and Kodama, all of which are in Donetsk Region. They were also unsuccessful and retreated. After regrouping, the Russians resumed their attack on Kodema.
Back on August 4, the Russian occupiers announced they had gained control of Pisky. However, fighting still continues near the village of Pisky.
This week, Russian propagandist Alexander Kots was sent to Pisky and reported that the city is under the control of the Russian Armed Forces and posted photographs of the town from afar. However, on August 11 the Russian army launched a massive attack on Pisky from a heavy flamethrower system called Solntsepyok [hot sunlight].
At the start of the war, logistical and other problems meant Russian attempts to capture Kyiv failed. These same logistical problems, exacerbated by an even more significant shortage of infantry, mean the current Russian offensive in the east is also doomed. Having lost hundreds of tanks and other armored vehicles, as well as many troops, the Kremlin began withdrawing its battered battalion task forces from the Kyiv suburbs in late March. Those forces that were still able to fight made the long train journey to south-eastern Ukraine in the occupied part of Donbas.
It was on April 18, after Russian troops retreated from Kyiv Region and a tactical pause, that the battle for Donbas began. By the end of May, Russian forces focused their efforts on ousting the Ukrainian army from territories in Luhansk Region. In June, Ukrainian forces were forced to retreat from Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, both cities in Luhansk Region, after the Russian advance almost halted.
