For the first time, the Ukrainian military said Russian forces had begun blowing up bridges to slow Ukraine’s counter-offensive in the northeast.
In its latest operational update, the General Staff said on Saturday that in the area of Cirkuni and Ruski Tishki east of Kharkov, “the occupiers blew up three road bridges to slow down counter-offensive by the defense forces.”
CNN cannot independently verify the allegation.
In the past two weeks, Ukrainian troops have recaptured a number of villages north and east of Kharkiv, making it difficult for Russians to use artillery against the city and threatening to cut off Russian supply lines to forces fighting in Donetsk and Luhansk. .
Kharkov is close to the Russian border and was one of the first cities to be attacked during the Russian invasion.
Calm on the Russian offensive: The General Staff said for the second day in a row that there had been little offensive by Russian forces, but artillery fire and air reconnaissance continued.
Some Ukrainian officials believe that Russian troops are pausing before starting the next phase, aimed at securing the whole of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Beyond these two regions, the General Staff says, the Russians continue to shell the southern city of Nikolaev. North of the city, Ukrainians say they have destroyed “an ammunition depot and up to 20 units of enemy military equipment.”
Russia’s Victory Day: Tensions are rising before May 9, known as Russia’s Victory Day, marking Moscow’s victory over Nazi Germany. Western officials have warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could officially declare war on the day, allowing him to mobilize reserves and step up the Russian attack.
On the eve of the day, Russian forces occupying the Ukrainian region of Kherson increased checkpoints and patrols, the Ukrainian General Staff said.
Russia’s deputy-appointed deputy head of the Kherson military administration, Kirill Stremusov, said on Friday that residents would be allowed to have Russian passports. Also Friday, a senior Russian official was in the region with the leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.
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