Russia has ordered more weapons to the front lines in Ukraine in a scramble to make a significant breakthrough before the arrival of US military aid.

“To maintain the required pace of the offensive… it is necessary to increase the volume and quality of weapons and military equipment supplied to troops, primarily weapons,” Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defence minister, said.

Moscow’s forces have made near daily advances in eastern Ukraine as they mount attacks in at least seven separate directions.

And Kyiv has warned that up to 25,000 troops have been thrown into the fight for Chasiv Yar, a strategic town west of the Donetsk city of Bakhmut.

Ukrainian forces defending the area, a key position in their defence of the wider Donbas region, complained on Wednesday they are still waiting for fresh ammunition supplies from the US amid intensifying attacks from Russian troops.

Chasiv Yar sits on a hill that offers a natural barrier, helping Kyiv to hold crucial supply lines to the north, as well as the regional capital of Kramatorsk.

Moscow is believed to have ordered its commanders in the area to capture the town by May 9, when the country celebrates Victory Day.

Analysts believe Russian forces are exploiting the window before US military supplies arrive in the hands of the Ukrainians defending the hilltop settlement.

It has become increasingly difficult for Ukrainian forces to hold on because of the significant advantages in artillery fire and aerial dominance enjoyed by the Russians.

But the front line has remained largely static in the past week, since Joe Biden signed off on a $61 billion aid package for Kyiv, suggesting Ukraine is deliberately expending more ammunition to stall Russian advances.

Recent gains around Ocheretyne, a small village west of Avdiivka, could further add to Ukrainian headaches, with some predicting Russia could attempt to push its forces there north to join the Chasiv Yar front.

Ukraine recently surrendered three villages close to Ocheretyne in an attempt to save lives instead of holding ground that is not well fortified.