Zelensky says Russia has initiative in Ukraine’s east but new western aid on way

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country’s army is facing “a really difficult situation” in eastern regions where troops are battling to hold at bay an intense Russian push along parts of the front line.

“With an increase in the supply of weapons, we will be able to stop them in the east. As of now, they seized the initiative there,” Mr Zelensky said. Ukraine’s forces are outnumbered in infantry, armour and ammunition against Russia’s bigger army and are trying to limit the Kremlin’s forces to incremental gains.

“They constantly try to breach our lines with their personnel… to get through somewhere, to crawl in, to hold any positions for at least a minute,” said one soldier. Ocheretyne lies north-west of Avdiivka, a city whose capture opened a door for the Kremlin’s troops to push westwards, deeper into Donetsk. Russia annexed Donetsk and three other regions illegally in 2022 shortly after it invaded Ukraine, and taking control of all of Donetsk is one of the Kremlin’s main war goals.

Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine increased by 17% from March to April, the UK Ministry of Defence said on Thursday. Despite the attacking effort, the Kremlin’s forces have made only minor gains and sustained heavy losses, it added.In other developments, Ukraine’s parliament has approved a bill that offers parole for convicts who enlist for military service, as the country seeks to replenish its depleted ranks.

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