Russian troops began utilizing army gear close to the cities of Toretsk and Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast, Anastasia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson of the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk, mentioned on Dec. 24.

Talking on nationwide tv, Bobovnikova mentioned that preventing with the usage of armored fight automobiles, bikes and buggies passed off within the village of Nelipivka north of Toretsk.

"We didn't see this earlier than, however now the enemy has turn into extra energetic," she mentioned.

Toretsk and Chasiv Yar have turn into one of many hottest spots in Donetsk Oblast in current months as Russian troops proceed advancing in Ukraine's east.

The spokesperson described the state of affairs in Toretsk as "essentially the most troublesome."

"The preventing is for each home. And it’s good to perceive that someplace they (Russia) can advance by one home, and actually the subsequent day we’re already taking again this home," Bobovnikova mentioned.

In keeping with the spokesperson, it’s troublesome to make use of tanks and armored fight automobiles in each Toretsk and Chasiv Yar as a result of they’re "not so efficient in city areas" and troublesome to maneuver.

All through 2024, Ukraine has confronted a difficult state of affairs in its protection of the entrance line. Other than Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine expects Russian forces to launch larger-scale assaults in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Ukraine ends year battered, with Russian troops pushing north, east, and southThe entire year 2024 saw Ukrainian troops on the back foot, losing territory to the advancing Russian troops in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast and eastern Donetsk Oblast. Russia captured Avdiivka — an industrial city in Donetsk Oblast — in February, kickstarting Moscow’s offensives all across the regi…The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima