Russia prepares new offensive on new Ukrainian region despite May ceasefire

Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported the information.

"Despite loud statements about being ready for a ceasefire during the May holidays, Russian forces have sharply increased the intensity of fighting, focusing their main efforts on the Pokrovsk direction," he said.

According to Syrskyi, Russian troops are persistently trying to break through Ukrainian defenses in the Pokrovsk area and reach the administrative border of the Dnipropetrovsk region.

"To do this, the Russian command is throwing in new units daily, sending its soldiers to die, while reporting fake successes and victories," Syrskyi added.

He also said he worked directly with brigades holding the defense in the Pokrovsk direction to address urgent issues and support unit commanders in organizing combat operations.

While there, Syrskyi listened to commanders and made decisions on additional supplies of ammunition, drones, electronic warfare gear, and reserves. He said special focus was given to unmanned strike systems.

"Despite constant pressure and attempts to break through, the Russians keeps taking losses and pulling back. We’re hitting their formations across the full depth of their positions," the commander said.

• On the past day, April 29, there were 177 combat clashes along the Russian-Ukrainian front. In the Pokrovsk direction alone, Ukrainian forces stopped 75 Russian attacks.