Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi denied the Russians had made a significant breakthrough but said his forces were on the back foot. "[We] are fighting fierce defensive battles, the attempts of the Russian invaders to break through our defences have been stopped," he wrote on Telegram.
Ukrainian forces are on the defensive amid shortages of manpower and weapons, and delays in western funding. Analysts have warned of an impending Russian offensive for weeks and the first moves came on Friday with a push around Kharkiv.
"The situation is difficult, but the defence forces of Ukraine are doing everything to hold defensive lines and positions, and inflict damage on the enemy," added Syrskyi, who was appointed as the army commander in February.
The Institute for the Study of War, a US thinktank, said on Saturday that previous Russian claims to have captured four villages appeared to be accurate and described the recent gains as "tactically significant". Yesterday Russia claimed to have taken control of another five villages.
The foreign secretary, David Cameron, told Sky News that the Russian assault marked an "extremely dangerous" moment in the war.
The Russian offensive may require Ukraine to reposition troops to the northern front just as Russian forces are also attacking in the south and east of the country.
Esta historia es de la edición May 13, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 13, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
'Why bother?' Tories face task of getting 'Whitby woman' to vote
'It doesn't matter who you vote for, the government always get in.\" Sue Paling wryly quoting a wise friend - is one of many undecided voters in Whitby.
Israeli Flag Day March Through Muslim Jerusalem Inflames Tensions
Thousands of Israeli religious nationalists paraded through Muslim parts of the Old City of Jerusalem in the annual Flag Day march yesterday, an event that threatens to trigger further violence in the Israel-Hamas war.
Gaza Hunger Already Causing Mass Deaths, Report Warns
Months of extreme hunger have already killed many Palestinians in Gaza and caused permanent damage to children through malnutrition, a food security report has found, even before famine is officially declared.
UN Secretary General Calls For Global Ban On Ads For Fossil Fuel
Fossil fuel companies are the "godfathers of climate chaos" and should be banned from advertising similar to restrictions on tobacco, the UN secretary general said yesterday while delivering dire new warnings about global heating.
Not So Big Mac: Irish Restaurant Brings McDonald's Down To Size
The Irish fast food chain Supermac's has won a David v Goliath court battle with McDonald's over the use of the Big Mac trademark, paving the way for it to open outlets across Europe.
Sunak Lied To Country Over Labour Tax And Spend Plans, Says Starmer
Counter offensive seeks to regain control after PM's contentious claims
Few runs, and no fairytale, for Ireland in New York
Whatever game the teams are playing out here in New York City, it surely isn't the same one they have in the Indian Premier League.
Field of dreams Reality check for ICC in its romantic plan to draw American hearts to cricket
Thirty million does not go as far as you might hope in Manhattan, where it will just about stretch to a single Chelsea penthouse.
Investors awarded billions in public cash for losses related to climate laws, analysis finds
More than $100bn (£78bn) of public money has been awarded to private investors in investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) courts, according to the most comprehensive analysis yet.
Gains expected for populists as Dutch kick off four days of polls
Elections to the world's only transnational assembly get under way in earnest today as Dutch voters go to the polls at the start of a four-day, 27-country ballot that will return 720 MEPS to the next European parliament.