Mr. Putin said Russia is advancing rapidly into eastern Ukraine, at a speed of several square kilometers per day.

Despite a major Ukrainian military offensive in Russia's Kursk region since August 6, Russian troops have in recent weeks advanced relatively quickly through settlements in eastern Ukraine on their way to the strategically important city of Pokrovsk.

A heavily damaged university building in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine. Photo: AFP

"We have not had such a speed of attack in Donbas for a long time... The Russian armed forces now control territories not 200-300 meters but square kilometers," Mr. Putin said on September 2 in Tuva, about 4,500 kilometers east of Moscow.

Military bloggers also said Russian forces were now fighting in the eastern Ukrainian towns of Selydove and Ukrainsk. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on the reported Russian offensive.

Military blogger Yuri Podolyaka said fierce battles were taking place in Selydove, about 20 km south of Pokrovsk, and in Ukrainsk, about 14 km south of Selydove. Both sides were pushing their forces into the battle for the town.

Map showing the fronts where Russian troops are advancing in eastern Ukraine. Graphic photo: SW

Blogger Rybar also said fighting was taking place in both towns. Russian state news agency TASS said Ukrainian forces had been pushed back from part of Selydove.

By advancing south towards the town of Kurakhivka, Russian forces are seeking to breach Ukrainian defenses while expanding their influence on the Pokrovsk-Donetsk road and encircling part of the territory, Russian bloggers said.

Russian forces have taken control of the village of Skuchne in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said on September 2, RIA news agency reported.

Ngoc Anh (according to TASS, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/quan-doi-nga-dang-tien-nhanh-vao-mien-dong-ukraine-voi-toc-do-vai-km-vuong-moi-ngay-post310337.html