In a series of strategic advances, Russian forces have claimed to have captured the village of Semenivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. This move follows the recent takeover of the village of Novobakhmutivka, which Russian troops seized over the weekend.
The announcement of the capture of Semenivka was made by Russia’s Ministry of Defense, which has been capitalizing on its numerical and firepower superiority in the region. The ministry stated that their central group of forces took control of the village, defeating multiple brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, along with “the Foreign Legion mercenaries,” according to a report by the news agency Interfax. These claims of Russian military success and the associated casualties inflicted on Ukrainian forces have not been independently verified and have not received comment from Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry also boasted the capture of Novobakhmutivka, which is positioned just to the north of Semenivka, over the weekend. Both villages are situated west of Avdiivka, a town that Russian forces captured earlier in February. Avdiivka has since been a significant site of some of the conflict’s fiercest battles.
The intensifying conflict comes as Ukrainian forces face a challenging situation in the east. Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, communicated via Telegram that the military had “worsened” and that he had strategically relocated forces to “new frontiers” west of Berdychi, Semenivka, and Novomykhailivka to prevent further casualties. The Ukrainian army has been outgunned in the east for several months, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently highlighting the urgent need for faster delivery of military supplies from the United States.
Zelenskyy, during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv, stressed the importance of accelerated support. “Timely support for our army. Today I don’t see anything positive on this point yet. There are supplies, they have slightly begun, this process needs to be sped up,” Zelenskyy stated, echoing concerns over Russia attempting to leverage Kyiv’s shortages before the arrival of newly approved U.S. military aid. Zelenskyy’s comments underscore the direct impact that the pace of arms deliveries could have on the dynamics of the battlefield.
Meanwhile, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, during his visit to Ukraine, acknowledged the severe repercussions of delays in military aid. He reassured Ukraine of the alliance’s commitment, saying, “I know that serious delays in support have serious consequences on the battlefield… But it’s not too late for Ukraine to prevail.” Stoltenberg’s statement comes as Ukraine prepares for possible intensified Russian offensives ahead of the May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Russia.
Relevant articles:
– Russia says it has captured another Donetsk village after Ukraine pulls back forces in the east , CNBC, 04/30/2024
– Russia-Ukraine war: killing of two Ukrainians by Russian in southern Germany investigated for political motive, say prosecutors – as it happened, The Guardian, Mon, 29 Apr 2024 10:39:45 GMT
– Russia says captured another village in eastern Ukraine, Jordan Times, Mon, 29 Apr 2024 22:39:10 GMT