Fierce fighting in northeastern Ukraine, Mr. Zelensky said the conflict spread to Russia
Fighting is fierce in the northeast of the country, but Kiev's troops have held their lines and gained advantages in some areas, a senior Ukrainian official said.
In contrast, the Russian military announced that it had successfully stopped Kiev forces in northeastern Ukraine on July 31. Tass news agency cited a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, adding that the country's air defense systems shot down three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that attempted to attack Moscow, damaging a 50-story building in the city's western business and shopping district.
According to CNN, in a speech a few hours later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described July 31 as "a good, strong day" in frontline areas, especially near Bakhmut, where Kiev forces claim to be regaining control of the land.
While not directly commenting on the drone attacks on Moscow, Mr Zelensky said the conflict “is gradually returning to Russian territory, to its symbolic centers and military bases”.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force revealed that the latest raids on Moscow were aimed at influencing Russians who still feel the war is far away from them.
On the same day, speaking on national television, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar noted that Russian troops were trying to push Kiev troops back from positions in the northeast. However, the official said, Ukrainian troops had successfully responded and inflicted “heavy losses” on the enemy, especially in Bakhmut.
Ms Maliar added that Russian forces are trying to regain control of areas on the southern front held by Ukrainian troops. Kiev's forces have regained control of 200 square kilometers of territory there, but their results are limited by Russia's fortified defenses and dense minefields.
International news agencies admit that they cannot verify the above information.
