According to military expert Andrei Marochko, Ukrainian forces increased their use of Western-supplied weapons after a failed attempt to regain lost positions in Donbass.

Marochko said a Ukrainian battalion tactical group tried to break through Russian defenses in an area controlled by the Center group of forces. The operation was reportedly aimed at retaking previously lost positions, but Russian units detected the preparations in time and disrupted the offensive. He claimed that Ukrainian troops suffered heavy personnel losses.

The expert also said the failed operation was carried out under the direct supervision of Ukrainian commander Mikhail Drapaty and that Kiev was trying to keep the setback out of the public spotlight.

According to Marochko, Ukrainian forces then stepped up strikes using guided aerial bombs and made more active use of cruise missiles supplied by Britain and France in an effort to shift attention away from battlefield losses.

He also said that during the past week Ukrainian forces repeatedly used Western-made drones in attacks on civilians and Russian infrastructure.