Russia tries to break through defense, reach Kurakhove, Pokrovsk: Syrskyi visits Ukrainian positions in east

He wrote about this on his Facebook page.

Syrskyi noted that these are currently the areas of the Russians' main attack efforts.

"It is here that Russia's main offensive forces are concentrated, trying to break through the defense of our troops and, building on their success, reach the large settlements of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk," Syrskyi wrote.

He noted that the task of the Ukrainian defenders is to hold the defensive lines, inflict maximum losses on the Russian forces, and exhaust them in order to gain time to prepare the reserve.

"From the very beginning, having a overwhelming superiority in personnel, weapons and military equipment, Russia attacks the positions of our troops every day. Our task in these conditions is to hold the occupied borders and positions, to inflict maximum losses on the invading forces, to exhaust them, thereby disrupting enemy plans, and to gain time to form and prepare our reserves," the chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces wrote.

He also said he had worked with unit commanders.

"While working with the brigade commanders and their subordinates, I made all the necessary decisions to strengthen the defense with reserves, allocate additional missiles, ammunition, electronic warfare equipment and UAVs. I am confident that this will help our units successfully repel enemy attacks and inflict significant losses on the Russians," Syrskyi wrote.

In addition, on the occasion of Infantry Day, the Ukrainian commander-in-chief presented insignia and awards to the best soldiers who distinguished themselves in battles with the Russian forces.

• On May 6, Pavlo Lakiichuk, head of security programs at the Center for Global Studies Strategy XXI, said that the announced Russian exercises with the use of tactical nuclear weapons indicate that the Russians are losing the war with Ukraine.