Russia Launches Heavy Fire Attack in Southern Ukraine, Says Ukraine

Ukrainian troops are facing “heavy fire” from Russian forces in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. Moscow’s forces are back on the offensive across eastern and southern Ukraine, and have forced Kyiv into a hasty withdrawal from the town of Avdiivka in the eastern Donetsk region. They secured their first major gain since the capture of Bakhmut in May 2023. Ukrainian army spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy said Russia was now launching multiple attacks near the village of Robotyne. He said Russia had attacked with armored vehicles on Saturday — “which was repelled” — and was now trying to advance “with small assault groups, supported by armored vehicles.” The DeepState Telegram channel, seen as close to Ukraine’s armed forces, reported Sunday evening that Russia had managed to break through Ukrainian defenses at Verbove, a few kilometers east of Robotyne. Another channel close to Russia’s armed forces, Rybar, said Russia had gained a foothold in the southern outskirts of Robotyne. Ukraine’s defenses have been stretched in recent weeks by shortages in ammunition and manpower. Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the capture of Avdiivka as an “important victory” for his troops, just days before the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion on February 24.