Russian invaders fail to advance in Luhansk Region and towards Huliaipole – Arestovych

The relevant statement was made by Advisor to the Head of the Ukrainian President’s Office Oleksiy Arestovych at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“The direction of the enemy’s main efforts is remaining unchanged – from Izium towards Sloviansk and Kramatork. I would like to note that, over the past day, the enemy has failed to advance both in Luhansk Region and in the direction of Huliaipole,” Arestovych told.

In his words, this morning Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu have held a meeting and publicly announced they had captured the city of Mariupol and would not assault the Azovstal plant.

According to Arestovych, this indicates Russians are physically unable to seize the Azovstal plant. Their refusal can be also explained by the fact that some of their troops were deployed northwards to enhance Russia’s positions there and achieve the main objective, i.e. reach the administrative borders of Donetsk Region and Luhansk Region. Arestovych believes Russian forces will not be able to complete this mission.

“And this preliminary proclamation of victories, without waiting for Easter or May 9, shows that Russians have realized the futility of their last active operation at this phase of the war,” Arestovych stressed.

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A reminder that Russian President Vladimir Putin stated earlier that assaulting the industrial area of the Mariupol-based Azovstal plant was inexpedient and ordered Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to keep the plant under siege instead.