Russian forces have suffered heavy casualties during fighting in south-central Donetsk province and are unlikely to achieve a breakthrough in the area, British defence chiefs say.
In its latest intelligence update, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the area around the town of Pavlivka and Vuhledar had seen “intense combat” in the past two weeks, but that little territory had changed hands.
The MoD wrote: “Both Russia and Ukraine have significant forces committed to this sector, with Russian naval infantry having suffered heavy casualties.
“This area remains heavily contested, likely partially because Russia assesses the area has potential as a launch point for a future major advance north to capture the remainder of Ukrainian-held Donetsk Oblast.
“However, Russia is unlikely to be able to concentrate sufficient quality forces to achieve an operational breakthrough.”
It comes after Vladimir Putin told the mothers of men sent to fight in Ukraine that he “feels their pain” during a choreographed sit-down ahead of the country’s Mother’s Day on Sunday.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 27 November 2022
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) November 27, 2022
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/wQFhk7Fvrq
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/ZWsADrjj3l
The Kremlin released footage of the Russian president meeting 17 women who had apparently been carefully handpicked for their pro-war and pro-Kremlin views.
“I personally, and the whole leadership of the country, share your pain,” Mr Putin told the assembled group.
His voice appeared to catch with emotion at one point during the discussion. The Russian wives and mothers of men fighting in Ukraine have become increasingly critical of Mr Putin’s mobilisation order in recent months.
“We understand that nothing can replace the loss of a son, especially for a mother,” Mr Putin said several times during the meeting yesterday.
Since the end of September, hundreds of mobilised men have been killed and others have complained they were deployed without proper training or equipment and were then abandoned by their officers.
While Russia is unlikely to make ground in the south-central Donetsk region and has lost the vital southern city of Kherson, Mr Putin’s forces have conducted several missile strikes in Ukraine.
Although the invasion has stalled of late, millions have been left without power due to the attacks on infrastructure.
Grid operator Ukrenergo said on Saturday that electricity producers were able to cover only three-quarters of consumption needs, necessitating restrictions and blackouts across the country.
"If consumption increases in the evening, the number of outages may increase," Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address.
"This once again shows how important it is now to save power and consume it rationally."
