Invaders regroup troops and focus efforts on preparing an offensive in the east to establish full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions - General Staff

This is reported by the General Staff.

"The forty-first day of the heroic opposition of the Ukrainian people to the Russian military invasion has begun. The invader is regrouping troops and concentrating efforts on preparing an offensive operation in the east of our state. The goal is to establish full control over the territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The invader is trying to improve the situation in the operational areas", the message says.

Also, the units withdrawn from Polissya and Siversk area are moving to new operational areas. The redeployment of the troops of the Central Military District from the territory of Ukraine has been completed. Certain units from the aforementioned, after the completion of the restoration of combat capability, will be moved to the area of ​​​​the settlement of Valuiky and included in the offensive groupings of troops.

The movement of columns of weapons and military equipment across the territory of the Republic of Belarus in the direction of the Gomel, Yelsk and Mozyr railway stations for loading onto railway echelons is noted. A significant part of the aircraft and helicopters of the aerospace forces of the armed forces of the Russian Federation was relocated from the airfields of the Republic of Belarus to the territory of Russia.

"With the forces of individual units from the 6th and 20th Combined Arms Army, the 1st Tank Army, the Baltic and Northern Fleets, the invader concentrated its main efforts on preparing for the resumption of offensive operations, as well as an attempt to encircle the Joint Forces grouping. The invader is replenishing reserves of food, fuels and ammunition", the statement said.

Russian invaders continue blockading Kharkiv, with constant shelling and further destroying residential areas and infrastructure of the city.

In the direction of Slavyansk, the invader is trying to resume offensive operations. In the direction of Barvinkovo, it has partial success, advanced 7 km, took control of the settlement of Brazhkivka. Also, with forces in the battalion tactical group of the 1st tank regiment, it advanced in the direction of the settlement of Sulygivka, but didn't succeed.

To improve the movement of troops in the direction and ensure the crossing of the river, Seversky Donets is carrying out work to restore the bridge in Izyum.

In the Donetsk and Luhansk directions, with a certain composition of forces, the invaders are focusing their main efforts on taking control of the areas of the settlements of Popasna and Rubizhne, establishing full control over Mariupol, and also preparing offensive operations in the area of ​​the settlement of Zolota Nyva.

In the areas of the settlements of Borivske, Novoluhanske, Solodke, Maryinka, Zolota Nyva, the invader continued shelling the positions of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and civilian infrastructure.

Near the settlements of Novotoshkivske, Nyzhne, Popasna, Kalynove, Stepne, Rubizhne, Troitske, Novobakhmutivka, Novoselivka, the invader carried out assault operations, but had no success.

The Russian invaders launched massive artillery and air strikes on the city of Mariupol.

In the South Bug direction, the occupying forces are carrying out assault operations with the support of artillery in order to take control of the settlement of Oleksandrivka, have partial success. In the area of ​​the settlements of Lyubyne, Myrne and Kopani, invaders fired artillery at the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Also, Russian troops shelled Mykolaiv with cluster munitions prohibited by the Geneva Convention. Invader hit civilian quarters and medical facilities, including a children's hospital. There are dead and wounded, including children.

"The occupying troops continue to suffer losses. They have big problems with the recruitment of combat units and support units. The invader personnel are demoralized, which led to an increase in the number of desertions and refusals of the military personnel of the armed forces of the Russian Federation to participate in the war on the territory of Ukraine", the report says.