Russian soldiers are tying down Ukrainian troops in the eastern Donbas area as Moscow gathers extra combat capability for an expected operation there in the coming weeks, Ukrainian authorities warned Monday.
According to Ukraine's presidential administration, fierce combat that has been going on for weeks has persisted in the area of Bakhmut and the surrounding villages of Soledar and Vuhledar.
Military analysts think the Kremlin's soldiers may be testing Ukrainian fortifications or feinting before a larger drive across southern Ukraine.
Vadym Skibitsky, a spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence, stated that the country is prepared for probable Russian offensives in the east and south. He warned that Russia will likely escalate its offensive in the Donbas and start an attack in the Zaporizhzhia area.
They are in the Donetsk region, which along with the nearby Luhansk region makes up the Donbas. The Donbas is an industrial area that borders Russia.
"The war for the area is heating up," Donetsk Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko stated on tv, adding that "the Russians are sending additional forces into the conflict and destroying our cities and villages."
Gov. Serhii Haidai of Luhansk stated bombardment has stopped because "the Russians have been storing ammunition for a large-scale attack."