Volodymyr Zelensky admits that the situation is “very difficult” at certain points of the front

The Ukrainian president admits that the situation is “very difficult” at certain points on the front.

President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted on Monday that the Ukrainian army faces a “very difficult” situation facing Russian forces, which he said are taking advantage of Western delays in providing military assistance.

“The situation is very difficult at several points on the front line, where Russian forces have concentrated maximum reserves. They are taking advantage of the delay in aid to Ukraine,” the president said in his daily message.

He added that his country lacks artillery and needs anti-aircraft defense on the front lines as much as it needs long-range weapons.

“Heavy shooting” in Zaporizhia

Russian forces are on the offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine, and have just captured the disputed town of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, making their first major gain since seizing Bakhmut in May 2023.

The Ukrainian army said on Monday that it was facing “heavy fire” from Russian forces during the attack in the Zaporizhya region in the south of the country.

Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Tarnavsky said Russian forces were launching multiple attacks, including near the village of Robotin, one of the few places where Ukraine was able to regain ground during the Ukrainian counteroffensive last summer.

Avdiivka, “an important victory” for Russia

He added on Telegram that the Russian army is trying to advance “small attack groups supported by armored units.”

Commander Tarnavsky, who commands Ukrainian forces in the region, said: “These offensive attempts were stopped, and the enemy was eliminated on the outskirts of Robotyn.”

Like many towns in eastern Ukraine, Robotyn was completely destroyed after months of artillery barrages.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the capture of Avdiivka as an “important victory” for his forces, days before the second anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion on February 24.