KYIV - As Kyiv downplayed a report that it is changing some plans for a counteroffensive because of a leak of sensitive U.S. intelligence documents, Russian forces bombarded frontline cities in eastern Ukraine with air strikes and artillery attacks.

A senior Ukrainian military commander claimed on Monday that the Russians were using "scorched earth" tactics on Bakhmut as the Ukrainian city in the eastern Donetsk region and other cities and towns came under heavy bombardment.


"The enemy adopted so-called "scorched earth" strategies after Syria. With airstrikes and artillery fire, it is destroying structures and positions "According to Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who is in charge of Ukraine's ground forces, Bakhmut.

Donetsk's battle for control of the small, now largely destroyed city on the outskirts of a section of Russian-controlled territory has been the bloodiest of the 13-month conflict as Moscow attempts to revive its campaign following recent setbacks.

The fighting in Bakhmut has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, but Syrskyi remarked that "The situation is difficult but controllable."

Denis Pushilin, the leader of the Donetsk region under Moscow control, reported that Russian forces now possessed 75% of the city, but he cautioned that it was still too early to discuss Bakhmut's fall.

The city of Avdiivka was also a target for Moscow's military.

The regional governor of Donetsk, Pavlo Kyrylenko, described an air strike on Monday that destroyed a multi-story building as "The Russians have turned Avdiivka into a total ruin,"

Around 1,800 people still reside in Avdiivka, all of whom daily put their lives in danger.

Few buildings remain standing in Chasiv Yar, the first significant town to Bakhmut's west, and those waiting in line for food and other supplies do not even flinch at the sound of artillery.

Maksym, a 50-year-old volunteer in the humanitarian sector, said, "It used to be scarier, but now we have got used to it," You do not even pay attention, he continued, almost getting lost in the sound of the explosions.

U.S. broadcaster CNN reported that Ukraine was forced to alter some military plans prior to its eagerly anticipated counter-offensive because of the leak of dozens of classified documents as the battles continued.

In addition to reviewing how they share information internally and dealing with the diplomatic fallout, U.S. officials are attempting to identify the source of the leak.

The documents cover a variety of subjects, including information on the conflict in Ukraine, in which Washington has provided Kyiv with massive quantities of weapons and taken the lead in leading international condemnation of Moscow's invasion.

When questioned about the report, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, said Kyiv's strategic plans remained unaltered but those particular tactics were always subject to change.

Oleksiy Danilov, the National Security and Defense Council's secretary, stated to Reuters: "We are not interested in the opinions of those who are unrelated to this. The number of people who have access to information is very small."

Although they have not ruled out pro-Russian actors, some national security experts and U.S. officials have said they believe the leaker may be an American.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, declined to comment on the leak but noted: "In fact, there is a propensity to always put the blame on Russia. It is a disease in general."

After several months of attritional fighting in the east, a Ukrainian counteroffensive has long been anticipated.

The Russian military's winter offensive did not achieve much success, and its soldiers only made modest gains at great expense.

Heavy losses have also been sustained by the Ukrainian defenders.

As the members of Russia's private mercenary Wagner group, who have been leading the assault on Bakhmut, are worn out, Syrskyi claimed that Moscow is sending in special forces and airborne units to assist their attack on Bakhmut.

According to the general staff of Ukraine, Russian forces attempted to advance west of Bakhmut without success, and at least ten towns and villages, including Bakhmut and Chasiv Yar, had been shelled by Russian forces.

Donetsk is one of four provinces in eastern and southern Ukraine that Russia declared annexed last year and is now attempting to completely occupy what appears to be a shift in its war objectives following its failure to completely encircle the nation after its February 2022 invasion.

If Russia gains control of Bakhmut, it may be able to directly attack the Ukrainian defensive lines in Chasiv Yar and pave the way for its forces to advance on Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, two larger cities in the Donetsk region.

Last week, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that if there was a chance that the troops would be surrounded, they might be withdrawn. According to Kyiv and the West, the significance of the now-destroyed Bakhmut city is purely symbolic.