| 10 June 2023
Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk witnessed intense fighting as Ukrainian forces made significant gains near the war-torn city of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russia last month. However, Moscow countered the claims, stating that Ukrainian forces had failed to advance on any front lines.
According to Serhiy Cherevaty, spokesperson for Ukraine's east military command, Ukrainian forces successfully advanced 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) near Bakhmut within the past 24 hours. Cherevaty explained that they took advantage of the enemy's rotation measures and their lack of familiarity with the area. Ukrainian television quoted him saying, "We have been carrying out assaults for several days."
Simultaneously, the city of Odesa in Ukraine's Black Sea port fell victim to an overnight Russian drone and missile attack, resulting in the deaths of at least three people. Odesa's military command confirmed the attack, revealing that eight Russian drones and two missiles were intercepted and shot down.
Hanna Maliar, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister, expressed the gravity of the situation on various fronts, emphasizing the intensity of fighting in the eastern areas, including Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivsky, and Mariinka. She reassured that Ukrainian troops were successfully repelling Russian attacks.
In recent days, Ukrainian forces have made significant progress on the outskirts of Bakhmut, aiming to encircle the devastated city that has endured months of war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukrainian troops of initiating a long-anticipated counteroffensive, resulting in "significant" losses for Ukraine. He asserted that Ukrainian forces failed to achieve their objectives in any direction. Russia's defense ministry claimed to continue repelling Ukrainian attacks in the southern Zaporizhia region, which houses Europe's largest nuclear plant. Ukrainian officials provided limited information about the situation in Zaporizhia but confirmed the deaths of a junior nurse and a plumber due to Russian shelling of a hospital in Huliaipole.
Journalist Daniel Hawkins in Moscow highlighted the contrast in information sharing between Ukraine and Russia. While Ukraine remained tight-lipped, Moscow readily provided updates on frontline events in the past 72 hours. Hawkins revealed that videos have emerged showing destroyed German Leopard tanks and United States' Bradley Fighting Vehicles in Zaporizhia.
Hawkins predicted that battles would continue for the next few days as Ukrainian forces probed Russian defenses in an attempt to break through.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon, intending to urge him to withdraw troops from Ukraine
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