The “meat grinder” continued in Ukraine Saturday with intense battles in the partially occupied eastern Donetsk region, as Russian forces tried to penetrate Ukrainian defenses during the war’s 772nd day of fighting.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its troops now control Vodiane, a settlement within Donetsk, after thwarting two counterattacks by Ukraine’s mountain brigade.
Russian state media said fighters also entered the suburbs of Chasiv Yar, near Bakhmut — claims Ukraine roundly denied.
Bakhmut was the scene of major fighting last year, with heavy losses on both sides, until Moscow’s forces took the city in May.
Russia is eager to take control of Chasiv Yar before advancing to the other nearby cities, the Kyiv Independent reported.
Overnight and daytime drone and missile attacks in the region killed eight people Saturday while wounding another dozen.
Three people were also killed and 13 injured when five Russian missiles struck the southern city of Zaporizhzhia.
Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, said the Russian military is carrying out offensive operations almost 24 hours day, utilizing assault groups in armored vehicles.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian air defense forces downed three Russia cruise missiles and 28 drones Saturday. “Russian killers continue to terrorize Ukrainians and attack Kharkiv and other peaceful cities,” said Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk in a statement.
Russia claimed its air defenses shot down 10 rockets bound for Belgorod, a border city that Ukraine has attacked several times.
In other developments: