Russian forces begin assault on two key cities in eastern Ukraine
The cities of Bakhmut and Avdiivka had been considered key targets of Russia’s ongoing offensive across Ukraine’s east.
The cities of Bakhmut and Avdiivka had been considered key targets of Russia’s ongoing offensive across Ukraine’s east.
The small-scale nature of the attack raised the possibility that it was the work of Ukrainian insurgents trying to drive out Russian forces.
Officials from Russia and the separatist authorities in Donetsk said the attack killed 53 Ukrainian POWs and wounded 75.
Fifteen people were wounded in the Russian strikes, five of them civilians.
The Russian strikes hit Ukraine’s Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, areas that have not been targeted in weeks.
Defence chiefs in Moscow said the military is intensifying its campaign.
Ukraine indicated in recent days that it might launch a counteroffensive to reclaim territory in the country’s south.
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The governor of Luhansk, Serhyi Haidai, said there had been no sign of the expected operational pause by Russian forces.
The Ukrainian presidential office said Russian forces targeted cities and villages in the country’s south-east.
The country’s presidential office said Russian forces targeted cities and villages in southeast Ukraine.
Russia has stepped up its offensive in the eastern province in the past few days.
The barrage intensifies fears that Russian forces are positioned to advance further into the Donbas area, after declaring victory in Luhansk province.
Defence minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow’s forces have taken control of Lysychansk, the last major Ukrainian-held city in Luhansk province.