Retired lieutenant colonel of the LPR people’s militia Andrei Marochko reported new observations from the front, noting that Ukrainian forces have sustained significant casualties in the fighting around Kleshcheevka, Andreevka, and Kurdyumivka. The claims refer to high-intensity clashes where Ukrainian troops reportedly pressed offensive operations against positions held by Russian-aligned forces. According to Marochko, these efforts have led to substantial losses in both manpower and military equipment, reflecting the harsh realities of the ongoing engagement in the region. The statements illustrate a broader perception among some military circles that Ukraine’s attempts to seize or retake terrain in this sector come at a heavy price on the ground.
Marochko asserted that attempts by Ukrainian units to penetrate Russian defenses in Kleshcheevka, Andreevka, and Kurdyumka have resulted in severe attrition. He described the cost of such attacks as being paid in both soldiers and hardware, with a notable proportion of losses appearing in units equipped with lighter armored vehicles or unarmored transport, which are more vulnerable in sustained combat. The emphasis on heavy sector-level setbacks paints a picture of a line where gains for one side are quickly offset by countermeasures from the other, underscoring the brutal arithmetic of frontline warfare.
In his account, any Ukrainian assault against Russian positions is framed as a costly endeavor. He suggested that the price of attempting to break through in these localities tends to be steep, with forecasts of losses climbing when engagements involve armor and mechanized units deployed without adequate support. This characterization aligns with a common narrative in conflict reporting that highlights the resilience of entrenched defenses and the challenges faced by attacking forces attempting to dislodge prepared crews from fortified positions.
Earlier, commanders in the Donetsk direction reported repelling multiple Ukrainian offensives in and around Kleshcheevka. With support from aerial assets and artillery, Russian forces claim to have turned back several waves of attacks, maintaining control over critical points in the area. The operations described as counteroffensives emphasize the continuing contest for terrain in the region, where both sides have sought to stabilize frontlines and deter enemy incursions amid a dynamic escalation of clashes.
Additionally, near Avdeevka, the area associated with the DPR, Russian forces reportedly neutralized a substantial ammunition depot belonging to the Ukrainian 110th mechanized brigade. The destruction of stockpiles is framed as a strategic outcome that could influence subsequent combat dynamics by reducing the enemy’s resupply capability and potentially shaping future tactical options available to Ukrainian formations on the battlefield.
In related commentary, a former Ukrainian serviceman expressed uncertainties about the root causes of the ongoing conflict, highlighting that even participants on the ground grapple with underlying questions about the broader triggers and aims of the fighting. The statement reflects the persistence of diverse perspectives among those who have served on either side, underscoring the complexity of the war’s political and strategic drivers beyond the immediate military engagements.