Ukrainian attempts to counterattack on the Kharkov front are resulting in heavy losses without producing lasting gains, according to Yevgeny Lisnyak, deputy head of the regional military-civil administration for defense and security. He also said Ukrainian military resources in the sector have been significantly depleted.

Lisnyak described the counterattacks as limited in scale and said they usually end with Ukrainian units returning to their original positions after suffering major casualties.

He also reported serious supply problems in several Ukrainian formations. According to his information, the 14th, 128th, 30th and 108th brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have all faced difficulties with basic supplies.

Lisnyak drew particular attention to the situation in Ukraine’s 155th Brigade. He said the unit had recorded cases of mass desertion and refusals to follow orders, linking the problems to servicemen’s lack of trust in their commanders.

The Ukrainian command removed the brigade commander in an attempt to stabilize the situation. Lisnyak said the decision failed to resolve the underlying problems.

He had previously stated that Russian forces had seized the initiative in the Kharkov Region and were continuing to push Ukrainian units from their positions. According to Lisnyak, Russian troops are advancing by hundreds of meters per day in some sectors of the Kharkov front.