Volodymir Zelensky and the General Staff of Ukraine announced the start of the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces intensified offensive and assault operations in various directions in the east of the country, according to the Kyiv Independent newspaper.
This is a region partly in the hands of pro-Russian separatists and where fighting intensified.
“We can now say that Russian troops have started the battle for the Donbas, which they were preparing for a long time. A large part of the entire Russian army is now engaged in this offensive,” Zelenski said in a speech broadcast on Telegram.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to form additional military units in occupied Crimea and in the bordering Rostov region.
As reported by Reuters, Ukraine's presidential chief of staff said today that “the second phase of the war has begun”, referring to Russia's new assault on eastern Ukraine.
The comments of Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, are in line with comments from Ukraine's top security official, who said today that Russia had launched its new offensive.
“Believe in our army, it's very strong,” wrote Yermak on the Telegram messaging app to assure Ukrainians that Ukrainian forces could resist the offensive.
(With information from AFP)
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