Russia ‘bringing in large reserves’ for ‘fierce’ fighting near Kreminna, says Ukraine

Heavy fighting is taking place near the Ukrainian city of Kreminna, northwest of Lysychansk, according to the head of the Luhansk regional military administration, Serhiy Haidai.

Haidai said:

The Russian occupation troops managed to build a very powerful defense in a month, even a little more. They are bringing there a huge amount of reserves and equipment. They are constantly renewing their forces.

He said Russian forces had suffered a large number of casualties but they were still bringing new personnel, “because they understand that if they lose Kreminna, in principle, the entire line of defence will crumble”.

There is fierce fighting around elevated areas near Kreminna in Luhansk region as well as around Bakhmut and Avdiivka in Donetsk, a Ukrainian military analyst has said.

Oleh Zhdanov, who is based in Kyiv, posted on social media:

The arc of fire in Donetsk region continues to burn.

In his nightly address, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the situation in Bakhmut, Kreminna and other areas in Donbas was “difficult and painful”.