MOSCOW: Russia mentioned on Monday (Jan 6) it had made an vital advance in jap Ukraine however Russian conflict bloggers mentioned Moscow’s forces had been persevering with to fend off a major Ukrainian attack inside western Russia.
The Russian defence ministry mentioned its forces had captured the city of Kurakhove which lies 32km south of Pokrovsk, an vital Ukrainian logistics hub in direction of which Russia has been advancing for months.
On the similar time, Russian conflict bloggers mentioned Ukraine was attacking inside Russia’s Kursk area for a second day on Monday, with one describing the scenario as worrying.
Ukraine began a new offensive on Sunday in Kursk, the place its forces broke throughout the border on Aug 6 and for the previous 5 months have resisted Russian makes an attempt to expel them.
Russia’s defence ministry mentioned its forces beat again the primary Ukrainian assaults on Sunday simply north of a freeway working in direction of regional capital Kursk.
However Russian navy bloggers – a bunch of conflict correspondents and specialists who, whereas supporting Moscow’s effort, have typically criticised its shortcomings – mentioned fierce preventing was persevering with for a second day.
“The morning within the Kursk area is beginning off worryingly once more. It’s apparent that yesterday’s failure won’t cease the enemy and he’ll attempt to impose his will on us once more at the moment,” one blogger, Yuri Podolyaka, posted on Telegram.
Russia controls a few fifth of Ukraine after almost three years of conflict, however Ukraine’s surprising success in biting off and retaining a slice of Russian territory may increase its negotiating place as either side gear up for doable peace talks this yr.
Each have been striving to enhance their battlefield positions earlier than US President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in on Jan 20. Trump has repeatedly mentioned he’ll carry a fast finish to the conflict, however with out saying how.