Ukrainian troops are “standing firm” in the face of a massive Russian attack using ground troops, tanks and artillery in the past 24 hours approaching two key cities in the east of the country.
A source on the Ukrainian front line exclusively told Express.co.uk that Kremlin forces have been throwing everything they have got at troops protecting Kramatorsk and Sloivansk.
The cities, in central-eastern Ukraine, have large civilian populations and are linked to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv by rail. In the past two days, Russian forces have been fiercely bombarding the area with rockets and artillery.
The source, which we have chosen not to name for their own safety, told Express.co.uk: “The Russians are on the ground storming Ukrainian positions for the past couple of days, they have been rocketing the hell out of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
“It’s drones, It’s ground troops, it’s artillery, it’s rockets and tanks, but Ukraine is holding its ground.
“The Ukrainians killed all the Russian troops during an attack, but they also lost a few guys.
“The Ukrainian soldiers are still in good spirits. They are defending Europe not just Ukraine, the line doesn’t stop here if Putin wins.”
The report matches information released by the Ministry of Defence this morning which said Putin’s invading army was making “slow progress around Chasiv Yar” – a town just 30 miles from Kramatorsk.
The statement from the MoD said: “In central Donetsk Oblast, Russian forces are fighting within the eastern half of Toretsk and south of Pokrovsk. They have made only slow progress around Chasiv Yar.
“It is likely that Russian forces are attacking multiple targets simultaneously to stretch Ukrainian forces.”
The MoD said if Russian forces massed on a single point on the front line it could cause “a more significant effect”.
Ukraine’s desire to use Western missiles to strike targets in Russia will not be the “sole issue” in Volodymyr Zelensky’s “victory plan”, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The US and UK have so far refused to permit Kyiv to use the missiles they have supplied against targets in Russia, despite repeated pleas from Mr Zelensky.
The Ukrainian president has said that he is having to fight with his hands tied because he is unable to use the weapons to strike Russian airfields and military facilities which President Vladimir Putin is using to launch deadly air raids, missiles and drones.
Sir Keir is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where Mr Zelensky will present his plan for the next stage of the war to his allies.
The Prime Minister said: “I do think it’s going to take quite a bit of time at the UN General Assembly. And I think that’s important because it’s at a critical stage.
“Obviously, President Zelensky has a plan that he wants to walk through with all of us – we knew that was going to happen.”
