This video is currently unavailable.

Britain's defense ministry says Russian forces may make an unfounded claim of military gains in eastern Ukraine as the invasion marks its one-year anniversary on Friday.

The ministry said in its intelligence update on Monday that Russia continues to pursue several offensive axes in Bakhmut and Vuhledar in the Donetsk region and Kreminna in Luhansk.

It said Russia's "casualties reportedly remain high, particularly in Bakhmut and Vuhledar." It added that an elite unit and Naval infantry brigades "have sustained very high losses" and "are likely combat ineffective."

It pointed out that "Russian forces are likely under increasing political pressure as the anniversary of the invasion draws near."

The British defense ministry also said, "It is likely that Russia will claim that Bakhmut has been captured to align with the anniversary, regardless of the reality on the ground."

It analyzed that "if Russia's spring offensive fails to achieve anything, tensions within the Russian leadership will likely increase."

Ukraine is bracing for a possible large-scale missile campaign by Russia ahead of the anniversary.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday the situation is very difficult near Vuhledar. But he added, "We are breaking the invaders and inflicting extremely tangible losses on Russia.

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiNGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3My5uaGsub3IuanAvbmhr...