Ukrainians repelled 45 attacks on the first day of Easter
Russian forces carried out nearly 50 attacks on Ukrainian positions in eastern Ukraine on the first day of Easter, according to a report from the General Staff in Kiev, showing that the Russians are still focusing on Bahmut, Avdiivka, Mariinka.
Russian units suffered heavy casualties in the attacks, the Ukrainian army command announced in its daily report, without giving further details. It was not possible to verify the information.
A total of 45 Russian attacks were repulsed around the towns of Bahmut and Mariinka, according to the army, which said the front line remained unchanged. "The enemy suffers significant losses, but maintains its plans to occupy Ukrainian territory," the report said.
According to Reuters, Russia announced on Sunday that Wagner mercenary units backed by airborne troops had captured two more blocks in the town of Bahmut, the target of a major Moscow offensive.
Wagner has led Russia's attempt to take Bahmut since last summer in what is proving to be, for both sides, the longest and deadliest battle of the war.
The Russian Defense Ministry said Wagner's assault teams had occupied two blocks in the northwestern and southeastern parts of Bahmut, which was largely destroyed in the fighting. He added that Russian army paratroop units supported the Wagner fighters by blocking Ukrainian forces on the flanks.
Reuters could not independently verify the Russian authorities' claims, which Kiev has not directly addressed.
Serhii Cerevatyi, spokesman for Ukraine's eastern military command, said Wagner troops were attacking dozens of times a day. "The enemy continued to attack our positions with satanic zeal," he told the Ukrainian parliament's TV station.
Britain reported Friday in an update from the front that Ukrainian troops were forced to withdraw from territory in the city in the face of a new Russian assault.
