Ukraine’s military still controls 45% of Donetsk Oblast

Read also: Three quarters of residents of Donetsk Oblast have left the region, says governor

“There are many contributing elements to the fact that the Russians have failed to realize their plans,” said Kyrylenko. “They include the professionalism of the Ukrainian army, the way defense is organized, and the provision of long-range artillery by our partners, with the help of which the (ammunition) warehouses of the invading forces have been destroyed.

Read also: Russia will likely see failure to seize Donetsk Oblast as setback for its objectives in Ukraine, says UK intel

According to Kyrylenko, the Lymanskyi, Bakhmutskyi and Avdiivskyi axes in the Donbas remain the hottest sectors of the front line.

“Regarding the Lymanskyi axis, we are talking about an attack on Slovyansk and further – on Kramatorsk,” said Kyrylenko.

Read also: Ukrainian forces liberate two villages in Donetsk Oblast, withdraw from two positions near Donetsk and Bakhmut

“As for the Bakhmutskyi axis, Russian invading forces are really trying to get as close as possible to Bakhmut – they are pushing from Zaitsevo, (and) it’s very hot there right now. And Bakhmut itself is under constant fire from the Russians.”

Kyrylenko announced on Aug. 16 that 75% of the residents of Donetsk Oblast had already been evacuated from the region.

Help NV continue reporting on the Russian invasion

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine