Putin army ‘accelerating’ advance to break Ukraine defensive line despite heavy losses, say UK defence chiefs [Video]

Vladimir Putin’s army is “accelerating” its advance seeking to break Ukraine’s defensive line despite suffering heavy losses, say British defence chiefs.

They stressed that Russian units had seized “several small settlements” in the Donetsk province in the east of the country.

In its latest update, the Ministry of Defence in London said: “The advance of Russian forces west of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast (province), has accelerated within the past week.

“Russian Ground Forces (RGF) have created a narrow salient further into Ukrainian territory to enter the town of Ocheretyne, located approximately 15km (nine miles) north of central Avdiivka.”

The briefing added: “Since RGF took control of Avdiivka in mid-February 2024, the area has remained one of the primary areas of Russian operations.

“Despite sustaining continued high losses, it is highly likely that RGF are able to continuously target Ukrainian positions in the area and have taken control of several small settlements.”

In Washington, …