Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced tonight the launch of a major Russian military offensive in eastern Ukrainereferring to the “Battle of Donbass”, part of which is under the control of pro-Russian separatists.
“We can now say that the Russian troops have started the battle of Donbass, for which they have been preparing for a long time. “A very large part of the Russian army is now focused on this attack.”Zelensky said in a video message to the Telegram.
Earlier, the Ukrainian president’s spokesman had said that “the second phase of the war had begun”, referring to Russia’s new offensive in eastern Ukraine. “Believe in our army, it is very strong,” Andriy Germak told the Telegram, assuring his countrymen that the Ukrainian armed forces could repel the attackers.
At least eight civilians were killed today in Russian bombings in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where fighting is raging, according to local Ukrainian authorities.
After the withdrawal of its troops around Kyiv, Russia concentrated the bulk of its forces in eastern Ukraine, the target of frequent bombing after the start of the Russian invasion on February 24.
In Kharkov, meanwhile, Russian bombings killed three people and injured 15 others, including a 14-year-old boy, according to Regional Governor Oleg Shinegubov.
At least eight civilians have been killed in Russian attacks in the east of the country, according to local officials.
At least eight civilians have been killed in Russian bombings in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine, where fighting is raging, according to local Ukrainian authorities.
“Many people wanted to leave” from Kremina, a small community in the Luhansk region that fell to the Russians earlier today, regional governor Sergei Gaidai said in a videotaped message to the Telegram. According to him, four civilians in a car were killed by Russian fire, while another was wounded.
In the Donetsk region, about 20 kilometers away, four civilians were killed in a Russian bombing, according to Pavlo Kirilenko, head of the Donetsk regional military administration. “Two in Torske, one in Handrigalove and one in Razdolne (killed). “Five other people were injured,” he told the Telegram.
After the withdrawal of its troops around Kyiv, Russia concentrated the bulk of its forces in eastern Ukraine, the target of frequent bombing after the start of the Russian invasion on February 24.
In Kharkov, meanwhile, Russian bombings killed three people and injured 15 others, including a 14-year-old boy, according to Regional Governor Oleg Shinegubov.
Washington confirms transfer of Russian forces
The confirmation of the completion of the transfer of Russian forces to Eastern Ukraine is also confirmed by Washington.
According to the Americans, 11 fully armed brigades have been added to the area since last week, bringing the total to 76, in the Donbass area alone.
“Russian forces are focusing on southern and eastern Ukraine. “They added forces there and increased their number,” the US official said.
The 800 Ukrainians holding Mariupol
The fall of Mariupol is considered a matter of time, as Russian troops are tightening the noose more and more, while tens of thousands of heroic inhabitants are trying to stay alive without water, food, medicine and electricity. However, the battle for the fall of Mariupol has already gone down in history as a shining example of resistance and heroism, not only of the civilians who are the real victims of any war, but also of the Ukrainian soldiers who resist with minimal means against a fully equipped army, backed by heavy artillery and modern -now- aerial means.
How many Ukrainian soldiers are showing strong resistance to Putin’s army? According to credible BBC military analysts, the number of defenders in Mariupol is between 500 and 800. Just a few hundred, that is, without ammunition and heavy weapons, against thousands of well-equipped Russian Marines.
Russian troops have set up a literally suffocating siege around the Azov port city, strangling both civilians and other Ukrainian forces. However, they have not occupied the entire city, which is a key target in Vladimir Putin’s plans.
The BBC map from the Institute for War Studies is typical:
Britain: The Russians are being tested by the coordinated Ukrainian defense
The British Ministry of Defense comments in a morning note on military security information from Ukraine that “Russian commanders will worry about the time it takes to subdue Mariupol».
He adds that coordinated Ukrainian resistance has severely tested Russian forces by diverting personnel and military equipment, delaying the Russian advance elsewhere.
The note from the British Ministry also emphasizes that the attempt of the Russians to occupy Mariupol has been accompanied by significant costs for residents, as recorded heavy civilian casualties and large areas of infrastructure have been destroyed.
“The targeting of residential areas within Mariupol is in line with Russia’s approach to Chechnya in 1999 and Syria in 2016. This is despite the claims of the Russian Ministry of Defense on February 24, 2022 that Russia would neither hit cities nor threaten the Ukrainian population “, concludes the latest information from London.
Many civilians at the Azovstal factory, the last stronghold of Mariupol
In the last fort of Ukrainian forces in Mariupolaccording to Moscow, the metallurgical plant Azovstal besieged by Russian forces, there are in addition to Ukrainian soldiers and many civiliansaccording to local authorities.
Residents of Mariupol hide in the factory to get rid of them Russian bombingsexplained o Mikhail Versinin police officer of the city speaking yesterday Sunday on a local television station.
“They do not trust them Russians. “They see what is happening in the city and for this reason they remain in the factory area,” he added.
According to Versinin, about 100,000 people remain in Mariupol, which before the war had a population of about 400,000. Several thousand Ukrainian fighters are believed to be in Azovstal, which also has underground facilities.
Rocket attack in Lviv Seven dead, 11 wounded
Seven dead is the latest death toll from rocket fire in the city of Lviv, said Governor Maxim Kozicki. Kotzicki said the city was hit by four rockets, three hit warehouses and a fourth hit a garage.
“11 people were injured, including a child. Three of the victims are in serious condition, the child was slightly injured,” he said. Dozens of vehicles were also destroyed in the attack.
According to the first information of the Ukrainians, the missiles were fired from an aircraft from the direction of the Caspian Sea.
THE Adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mikhail Pontolyaknoted in a Twitter message that there were five “strong missiles hitting civilian infrastructure” in Lviv, while the mayor of the city Andriy Santovi confirmed that there was a rocket attack and added that rescue teams have rushed to the area.
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