DNIPRO/KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine has urged allies to speed up arms deliveries as a deadly attack on a residential building in the city of Dnipro left 40 dead and Ukrainian troops come under increased pressure on the eastern front.
According to the Ukrainian army general staff, Russia has launched more than 70 rocket attacks in the past 24 hours.
Russian forces shelled more than 15 localities near Bakhmut in eastern Donetsk region, including the town of Soledar, where Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in fierce trench warfare for weeks, the official added. staff on Tuesday.
Incessant Russian shelling completely destroyed the town of Bakhmout and heavily damaged the town of Avdiivka, in the center of the Donetsk region.
“Very heavy fighting continues in the two key areas of (…) Bakhmout and Avdiivka,” Oleh Zhdanov, a Ukrainian military analyst, said on YouTube.
“The enemy is attacking constantly and around the clock. And we are trying to maintain our positions. Russian troops are active at night – we badly need night vision equipment.”
Reuters was unable to verify reports from the battlefield.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky said in his video address Monday evening that the Dnipro attack illustrated the need for faster and better coordinated decisions on arms deliveries to Kyiv.
Western countries have regularly supplied arms to Ukraine since Russian forces invaded on February 24, but Volodimir Zelensky and his government insist they need tanks.
Britain confirmed on Monday that it will send 14 Challenger 2 tanks and other equipment, including hundreds of additional armored vehicles and advanced air defense missiles.
Germany is under pressure to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, but its government says the tanks should only be provided if there is an agreement between Kyiv’s main allies, including the United States.
Oleski Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s Security Council, also spoke on Monday evening of the need to speed up arms deliveries as the government expects Russia to launch a “final push” which could take place in March, either a year after the start of the conflict.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is due to greet allies at an air base in Germany on Friday to discuss additional aid for Ukraine.
(Reporting from Reuters offices, writing by Grant McCool; French version Kate Entringer, editing by Blandine Hénault)