Kiev announced on Sunday that the situation on the front line with Russia in the eastern part of the country has “escalated”, with the Russians attacking, and the Ukrainian forces defending in the direction of Kupyansk in the area of ​​Kharkiv.

“The enemy is advancing in the direction of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region for two consecutive days. We are on defense. Fierce battles are taking place and the positions of the (involved) parties are changing dynamically several times a day,” Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hana Maliar announced on Telegram.

However, Maliar maintained that the Ukrainian forces are gradually advancing in the direction of the city of Bahamutadding that there are daily advances on the southern side of the city while trying to hold positions under Ukrainian control from Russian attacks on the northern side.

“The enemy continues the offensive in Avdiivka and Marinka regions. Our defenders continue to contain them effectively. Fierce fighting continues without a change in positions,” the Ukrainian official also asserted.

Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry said it had rebuffed 15 Ukrainian attacks in the direction of Donetsk, while also claiming that attacks were carried out against Ukrainian forces in the direction of Kupyansk.

Volodymyr Zelensky warned the Ukrainian citizens in his speech on Friday for a slow, difficult advance in the Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.

The president of Ukraine made it clear on Friday that Ukrainians should understand that Russia deploys all the means at its disposal to stop the advance of Kievan forces in the east and south.