Ukraine: Russia 'unlikely' to break through with new eastern offensive
Russian offensive activity has been increasing in the Kupiansk-Lyman area of Ukraine, according to the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD).
"Russian shelling has intensified and elements of the Russian 6th and 25th Combined Arms Armies (CAA) and the 1st Guards Tank Army have conducted attacks, but with limited success," it said in its latest defence intelligent update.
The update said: "There has been a significant increase in Russian offensive activity on the Kupiansk-Lyman axis in the last two weeks.
"It is highly likely that this activity is part of an ongoing Russian offensive being conducted on multiple axes in eastern Ukraine.
"The objective of Russian ground forces (RGF) on the Kupiansk-Lyman axis is probably to advance west to the Oskil River to create a buffer zone around Luhansk Oblast.
"RGF have built up combat capacity in the Kupiansk-Lyman direction in recent months.
"However, Ukrainian forces retain a significant defensive presence on this axis, and it is highly unlikely RGF will achieve a major operational breakthrough."
As part of their ongoing offensive, Russian forces have launched an assault on Avdiivka.
According to Ukrainian commanders, the attack is the most intense assault they have seen during the conflict.
The Ukrainian armed forces say they have used their US-supplied Atacms missiles for the first time. Videos have been circulating online apparently showing the Ukrainians firing the rockets at Russian positions.
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