The official also stated to the Vzgliad newspaper that Russian units have taken measures to keep Ukrainians from circumventing the said settlements and advancing in other directions.

According to Pushilin, the two hottest points in the direction of the south of the province of Donetsk are located on the Staromayorskoye-Urozhainoye line, where the enemy attempts digging in by creating defensive positions, which the Russian military impedes.

“Not even a single structure, much less houses, is left standing at Urozhainoye; there isn’t a single covered cellar left, that is why it’s highly likely the enemy will try avoiding those settlements,” the governor said.

Pushilin said that the Russian forces see the intentions of the Ukrainian armed forces to circumvent the villages and are taking integral measures to prevent such a development.

He said that Ukrainian reserves were recently brought in to the aforementioned districts.

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