April 3, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news | CNN

Russia's War Effort in Ukraine Taps into Weakening Enemy Forces.

Heavy artillery fire from Russian forces continues to plague Ukrainian military positions on the front lines in eastern Ukraine, with little change reported despite efforts by the General Staff to repel enemy attacks. The conflict is taking a toll on both sides, but Ukrainian officials claim that their forces are gaining ground in the Donetsk region.

According to Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukrainian Land Forces, the enemy is weakening and trying to cover up its failures with new propaganda claims about capturing Bakhmut. This comes as intense fighting continues northwest and west of the city, where Russian forces have been attempting to dislodge Ukrainian defenses for months.

In a recent video posted by Oleksii Dmytrashkivskyi, spokesperson for the military in the Donetsk area, Ukrainian troops are shown taking positions in strategic locations, with some even managing to gain ground against Russian forces. The situation is "extremely difficult" for both sides, according to Pushilin, leader of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic.

Russian special forces have been introduced into the region, pushing Ukrainian defenses between Avdiivka and Mariinka. However, Dmytrashkivskyi claims that the enemy has suffered significant losses and is struggling to maintain momentum.

The conflict remains a key point of contention in Ukraine, with both sides dug in for the long haul.

I'm keeping an eye on this situation... seems like Russia's been firing heavy artillery at Ukrainian positions and they're just trying to hold on. The thing that got me is how Ukraine's commander says their forces are gaining ground, but it's all so... uncertain . Russian special forces have shown up in the region, which makes things even more complicated. I'm not sure what to believe when Dmytrashkivskyi claims they're winning, especially with all that propaganda going on about capturing Bakhmut . Can't help but wonder if there's more to it than meets the eye . This whole thing is super intense and both sides seem to be suffering a lot...

You know, war really tests people's resolve. It's like when you're stuck on a project at work or school and everything seems hopeless, but then someone pushes you just a little bit harder... or harder... until you finally break through . That's kinda what's happening here - both sides are pushing each other to their limits, and it's hard to keep track of who's winning or losing. The thing is, though, when the dust settles, who knows what we'll find? Is it just a bunch of rubble, like our old selves before we got pushed out of our comfort zones? Or will something beautiful be born from all this chaos?

ukraine's military is defo getting some major wins , even if it's just little by little. those russian forces have been trying for months to take down Ukrainian defenses in bakhmut & co, but russian special forces arent having it . meanwhile, Ukrainian troops are taking strategic positions & pushing back where they can its not all sunshine & rainbows tho , the situation is super tense & both sides r taking a beating still, gotta keep the faith in our brave soldiers fighting for their country

I'm watching this war unfold from afar . It's like they're playing chess, each side trying to outmaneuver the other without directly saying what they're doing . I don't think either side is winning or losing; it's just a matter of which one can keep going on . We need to remember that people are suffering on both sides – families torn apart, homes destroyed . Can we find a way to talk to each other again?

idk why russians think they can just keep bombing away they're not getting anywhere, if ukraine's gaining ground it's 'cause they're not giving up either meanwhile, all this talk about capturing bakhmut is just noise i mean, we all know the real battle is being fought in the donetsk region, not some made-up propaganda those russian special forces are supposed to be super sneaky but it looks like ukraine's got them on lockdown anyway, gotta give credit where credit is due - if ukraine can keep this up, maybe russia will finally get the message

OMG, this war thingy is getting intense ! Like, I'm not sure who's gonna come out on top, but it's def not looking good for Russia . Those heavy artillery fire sounds super scary and I'm no fan of the whole situation . But, at the same time, like Ukrainian troops gaining ground in Donetsk region is kinda awesome ! They're all about holding on for dear life . It's just so crazy that both sides are having such a rough time . I mean, we all know Russia's been trying to be all like "we're gonna capture Bakhmut" , but honestly, it seems like Ukrainian forces are winning some battles !

I'm seeing a lot of people speculating about why Russia's war effort is still dragging on... some think it's because Ukraine's not giving up hope, while others say it's because Putin's losing control

Personally, I think it's a bit of both - on one hand, Ukrainian forces have been gaining ground in the Donetsk region, and that has to be demoralizing for Russia. On the other hand, Russia seems like they're throwing everything at Ukraine and not getting much progress, which could be a sign that they're running low on resources or morale.

I also wonder if this is just a case of two sides digging their heels in for the long haul - it's clear both sides are exhausted and don't want to back down. Can anyone see Russia's strategy shifting from here?

I think Russia's got it coming if they're trying to hide behind new propaganda... like, who believes that now? Russian forces have been pushing Ukrainian defenses for months and I'm surprised they haven't made a bigger breakthrough yet. It seems like Ukraine is actually gaining ground in the Donetsk region, which is pretty cool!

I'm not sure why Russia's trying to introduce special forces into the area, does that mean they're getting more serious about this war? It's definitely making things "extremely difficult" for both sides, as Pushilin said. I wish it would all just wrap up already...

I'm not sure how much longer this war can go on... it's like they're just trading blows, neither side giving an inch. I mean, I feel bad for the civilians caught in the middle, but at the same time, it's hard to watch a war that seems so one-sided. The Russians are getting pounded with artillery and still not making any progress, yet they keep saying they're winning? And on the other hand, the Ukrainians seem like they're gaining some ground, which is a good sign... but at what cost?

I guess we just have to wait and see how this all plays out. I've been following the news for months now, and it's like the war is stuck in this never-ending cycle of fighting and counter-fighting. Can't anyone find a way to negotiate or talk things through?!

I'm just really concerned about how this war is affecting regular people, you know? It's not just about the military strategy or propaganda claims. Innocent civilians are getting caught in the middle and it's heartbreaking to see. The Donetsk region is already a disaster zone and it's only getting worse.

I also wonder if we're really seeing a shift in the enemy's forces like Ukrainian officials claim. Is it possible that they're just trying to spin things to boost morale? I'd love to see more concrete evidence of this supposed weakening of Russian forces.

And what about those special forces being introduced into the region? Are they really making a difference, or are they just putting even more lives at risk? The situation is indeed extremely difficult for both sides, but can't we try to find some way to de-escalate things and protect these civilians?