Russia scales back guided bomb attacks in Donetsk but maintains artillery, drone strikes — Ukrainian officer

He shared the information on Espreso TV.

"The situation remains challenging at the moment. Russian forces attack daily, attempting to seize Ukrainian positions with infantry forces and continue trying to infiltrate through Ukrainian defenses to regroup in ruins behind the lines. However, none of their tactics — whether attacks or maneuvers with small infantry groups — are successful. The front line still runs along the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal, and the Russians have not achieved any tactical or strategic success in our direction," said Andrii Polukhin.

He noted that in their area of responsibility, Russian forces use minimal equipment due to the challenging terrain.

"In our area of responsibility, moving equipment is quite challenging since the Russians need to cross the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal. To do this, they must first navigate through the ruins of the Kanal microdistrict to reach the canal and then find a way to cross it, as there are no crossings suitable for transport. Russian troops would also need to make stops, which seems nearly impossible. Most of the equipment attempting to reach the canal is destroyed before it even gets close. In addition to being targeted by drones, our minefields, expertly placed by our soldiers, are highly effective," said the spokesperson for the 24th Mechanized Brigade.

He also commented on the situation with the destroyed Ukrainian Defense Forces' positions in Chasiv Yar and Toretsk, as reported by the Khortytsia operational and strategic troop grouping.

"Of course, destroyed positions do not mean that the defense has been breached or that Russians have taken over these positions. It simply means that infantry cannot remain there. However, there are still positions to continue defending this line. The advantage of urban combat must be understood here, as there are shelters almost everywhere, including buildings and basements, where positions can be established. While the situation is unpleasant, it is not critical," said Andrii Polukhin.

He also noted that Russia's use of guided bombs has decreased over the past week: "Russian forces continue to use guided bombs, but more on rear areas, targeting towns like Kostiantynivka, particularly Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, and Kramatorsk, as well as nearby settlements. In Chasiv Yar itself, the intensity of airstrikes has decreased, but artillery shelling has not. They are also actively deploying drones."

According to him, Russia has concentrated troops in their direction who have undergone relevant training and preparation.

"We are facing the 98th Airborne Division, which is regularly reinforced with other units. As far as I know, these currently include one of their motorized infantry or mechanized brigades. These are people who have been trained and prepared — they are not new, inexperienced soldiers sent to the front without preparation. They are given time and resources to train and equip. However, this is not critical, as Ukrainian troops are also experienced fighters who have been actively engaging in combat during the war's active phase," added Andrii Polukhin.

• On December 6, Yehor Firsov, serviceman with Ukraine's 109th Battalion, identified Chasiv Yar, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Toretsk as the hottest spots in the Donetsk region.