Russia denies reports of breached defenses; West sends 575 tanks to Ukraine.

"Statements on some Telegram channels claiming that the defense system has been breached at several different points along the front line are untrue," TASS news agency quoted a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense this morning, May 12. The ministry affirmed that the situation in the area of the Russian military operation is generally under control.

Russian assault units continued their offensive on western parts of the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk province of eastern Ukraine, with air and artillery support, at 10 p.m. on May 11, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Misinformation regarding the 'counterattack' situation in Bakhmut.

The ministry also stated that units of the southern combat group are making every effort to blockade the city of Avdiivka and gain control of the city of Maryinka, also in Donetsk province.

Nga bác hệ thống phòng thủ bị phá vỡ, phương Tây gửi 575 xe tăng cho Ukraine - Ảnh 1. — A Ukrainian soldier sits inside a BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle en route to Bakhmut on April 21.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, a battle is currently underway to repel a Ukrainian attack on the city of Maloilyinovka in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.

The Russian Defense Ministry issued the statement after a senior Ukrainian military officer claimed that Russian forces had withdrawn from some areas near Bakhmut following limited counterattacks by Kyiv forces around the city, according to AFP.

In addition, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Russian private military company Wagner, whose mercenaries are involved in the battle for Bakhmut, has admitted over the past three days that some Ukrainian units have successfully broken through in several areas, according to AFP.

What reasons does Russia give for the slow progress of its campaign in Ukraine?

The West has handed over 28 aircraft to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Poland's Permanent Representative to the European Union (EU) announced on May 11 that the West had handed over 28 aircraft and 575 tanks to Ukraine, according to TASS news agency.

"Of the 575 tanks delivered to Ukraine so far, [Poland] has 325. [France] is second (85), [Germany] third (80) and [the US] fourth (76). In addition, of the 28 aircraft delivered to [Ukraine] so far, Poland has sent 14 MiG-29 fighter jets," the Permanent Representative of Poland to the EU wrote on Twitter.

Earlier that day, EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borrell announced that since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, EU member states have sent weapons and ammunition worth 16 billion euros to Ukraine, completed the training of 17,000 soldiers, and plan to transport 1 million artillery shells before the end of this year, according to TASS.

What factors, according to the German general, are slowing down Ukraine's counterattack plan?

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