Ukrainian forces have continued their advance in the south along the course of the Mokri Yaly river, securing the village of Urozhaine in the face of stiff Russian resistance, the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
In its latest intelligence update, the MoD said both Russian and Ukrainian forces are struggling to make significant gains in the face of strong, established defensive positions.
The MoD said: “In the north, Russian forces have continued probing attacks in the Kupiansk area but achieved no significant advances.
“Across the front, both sides confront a similar challenge: attempting to defeat well-entrenched forces while having limited uncommitted forces to open new assaults.”
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 19 August 2023
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) August 19, 2023
Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/KsbkrK28Zz
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/CFgwXmAF5c
It comes after the MoD warned that around 44 Ukrainian grain storage facilities have been attacked by Russian missile strikes since the invasion last February.
Russia pulled out of the Black Sea grain deal last month and warned that civilian vessels carrying Ukrainian cargo would be regarded as legitimate targets.
Moscow has unleashed regular missile and drone strikes on southern and eastern Ukraine, targeting Odesa.
The Black Sea city is the country’s main port for exporting grain and it has been attacked repeatedly since President Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
The onslaught has been seen as Russia wanting to endanger 400 million people in countries dependent on Ukraine grain.
The UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative had allowed 100,000 tons of Ukrainian food to be exported every day.
But Putin suspended Russia’s participation despite it stabilising global food prices and, the UN says, helping to stop 100 million people from starving. Russia has also attacked agricultural stores it says are being used for military purposes.
