As Russian forces persist in their assault on eastern Ukrainian cities with air strikes and artillery, US officials are intensifying efforts to identify the source of a leak involving classified US documents, including those related to Ukrainian counter-offensive strategies.
On Tuesday, Ukraine's general staff reported heavy bombardment of several cities and towns in the eastern Donetsk region as the Russian offensive continued. Ukrainian forces were able to fend off multiple attacks, while the Russian military sought to seize control of Bakhmut.
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine's ground forces, accused Moscow of employing "scorched earth" tactics in Bakhmut, stating, "The enemy switched to so-called scorched earth tactics from Syria. It is destroying buildings and positions with air strikes and artillery fire."
The conflict in the largely devastated city of Bakhmut has been the deadliest of the 13-month war, as Moscow aims to reinvigorate its campaign after recent setbacks. Syrskyi acknowledged the challenging situation but maintained that it was manageable.
Denis Pushilin, head of the Moscow-controlled part of Donetsk, claimed Russian forces controlled 75% of Bakhmut, though he warned against declaring the city's fall prematurely.
Russian forces are also targeting the city of Avdiivka, which, according to Donetsk's regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko, has been reduced to ruins.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that Ukraine was forced to adjust some military plans in anticipation of its long-awaited counter-offensive due to the leak of numerous confidential documents. US officials are now working to determine the source of the leak, reviewing internal information-sharing protocols and addressing diplomatic repercussions.
Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak maintained that Kyiv's strategic plans remained unchanged, but noted that specific tactics are always subject to modification.
National security experts and US officials have speculated that the leaker could be an American, but they have not dismissed the possibility of pro-Russian actors being involved. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the leak but remarked, "There is in fact a tendency to always blame everything on Russia. It is, in general, a disease."
Ukraine's general staff reported that Russian forces had unsuccessfully attempted to advance on areas west of Bakhmut, while shelling numerous towns and villages, including Bakhmut and Chasiv Yar. Ukrainian forces repelled 52 enemy attacks.
