Ukraine's Stalemate: Russians Hold Ground, No Progress Made

Ukrainian officials have stated that Russian forces have not made any progress along the front lines but are heavily entrenched in mined areas they control, hindering Ukrainian troops' movement. Russian accounts report repelling 12 Ukrainian attacks in the Donetsk region. Russian military activity has focused on air attacks, damaging grain infrastructure in Ukraine's Izmail port. Ukrainian forces have been pushing southward to sever the land bridge between occupied eastern Ukraine and the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula. Ukrainian officials also claim to have retaken areas near Bakhmut, while Russian forces are reinforcing reserves and equipment in three areas further north. The extensive use of minefields by Russian forces has been highlighted, with an average of three to five mines per square meter. Ukrainian officials emphasize that the advances cannot be rushed due to the complexity and risks involved.