This blog is now closed. You can find our continuing rolling coverage here.
Ukraine’s armed forces has released its latest update on operations over the last day.
“The main efforts of the enemy are focused on the regrouping and strengthening of troops, continuing the partial blockade of the city of Kharkiv and its shelling with artillery,” it said.
The Ukrainian armed forces said it repelled 10 enemy attacks in the Donetsk and Luhansk territories in the last 24 hours, destroying three tanks, an armoured personnel carrier, two cars and three artillery systems. It said one Russian armoured personnel carrier was also captured.
It warned of an increased threat of missile strikes on Ukrainian defence and logistical infrastructure from Russian warships in the Black Sea armed with missiles.
“In the waters of the Sea of Azov, the enemy’s naval group continues to carry out tasks to block the port of Mariupol and provide fire support in the coastal direction,” it said.
The Armed Forces briefing reported “no significant changes” in the situation at Severodonetsk, where yesterday the head of its Civil Military Administration Oleksandr Striuk had reported heavy fire and the destruction of about 70% of the city. Only around 20,000 residents of the total 135,000 remain in the city, he said.
According to the Armed Forces statement on Saturday, shared on official Telegram channels, Russian activity has been most concentrated in the direction of Slobozhansky and Donetsk.
The briefing reported continued fighting in Slobozhansky, including Russian ground troops, airborne troops, and coastal troops of the Baltic and Northern fleets.
In Donetsk Russian forces were attempting to take control of the Luhansk settlements of Popasna - where the report said Ukrainian forces had been under constant fire, and Rubizhne, as well as to establish full control over Mariupol, it said. There was continued shelling “in most directions”.
Up to 22 battalions were at Izyum city, it said, noting the deployment of additional units. Izyum, a city on the Donetsk river and gateway to the Donbas, was the site of heavy fighting during the invasion, and the briefing flagged the possibility of intensified fighting there and in Barvinkove as Russia pushed towards Slovyansk. IT also warned of intensified hostilities in Avdiivka, about 130km north of Mariupol.
“The enemy is expected to continue fighting to reach the administrative borders of Kherson region and will try to resume the offensive,” it said.
