Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, stated Monday that Russia had launched a large-scale offensive against eastern Donbas.
After having had their attacks on Kyiv stopped at every corner, Putin’s commandos now focus their attention on Donbas which pro-Moscow separatists partially control since 2014.
Russia withdrew large numbers of troops from the area around Kiev’s capital at the beginning the month. Fighting has intensified in the last weeks as Russian troops have been redeployed across a large portion of territory south-east Kharkiv.
We can confirm that Russian troops began the fight for Donbas, which has been in preparation for quite some time. Zelensky on Telegram stated that the Russian army now has a significant portion dedicated to the attack.
We will not be intimidated by the Russian soldiers who are being brought in, We will defend our country.
“I am thankful to all our fighters. To all our heroes in Donbass, Mariupol and the regions of Kharkiv, as well, I’m grateful for the city being held.
After attempts to take over cities in Ukraine, the Russian offensive in Donbas is a new stage of war. Russia will now double its efforts to seize Donetsk/Luhansk territory.
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian President, stated Monday that Russia’s offensive in eastern Donbas had started
After being thwarted in every way during their attack on Kyiv, Putin’s commanders now shift their focus to the Donbas area that pro-Moscow separatists control partly since 2014.
In the Kyiv region, on April 17, 2022 the Ukrainian flag can be seen flying among buildings that were destroyed by bombardment in Borodianka (Ukraine).
One man is seen walking near the site of a destroyed residential building in Mariupol (Ukraine), April 17th, 2022.
Kurz before Zelensky addressed the nation, Sergiy Gaiday the governor of eastern Lugansk announced Russia’s eagerly awaited attack.
‘It’s hell. It’s the offensive we have been talking about for many weeks. He posted on Facebook that there is constant fighting in Rubizhne, Popasna and fighting in peaceful cities.
Local authorities claim that Russian bombardment killed eight civilians in Eastern Ukraine Monday.
Gaiday claimed that four victims died trying to escape the Kreminna district in Lugansk captured by Russian forces Monday.
Pavlo Kyrylenko, the regional governor of Donetsk said that four civilians were also killed in Russian bombardment.
Ukraine’s army predicted that a major Russian offensive would be launched in Donbas. This prediction was made weeks ago.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he initiated the military operation in order to protect the Russian-speaking people from a genocide’ by the Kyiv regime.
Putin recognized the independence of the two separatist republics Donetsk & Lugansk just before the Russian invasion on February 24, 2014.
Ukraine’s army predicted that a major Russian offensive would be launched in Donbas. Service members of prorussian troops drove an armoured vehicle near Mariupol (Ukraine, April 17th 2022).
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he started the military operation to rescue the Russian-speaking people from a genocide’ by the Kyiv regime.
Reports say that Colonel Ivan Grishin was the Commander of the Russian Army’s anti-aircraft missile battalion. He died in Ukraine.
As more than 22,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the invasion, Ukraine’s military declares that his army is now attacking the Donbas.
The Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that a total number of 20,600 Russian military personnel are dead. Even the conservative Western estimate, which was made at the beginning the month, placed the Russian death count between 7,000 and 5,000.
The war was entering its 54th day when Ukrainian authorities announced that the commander of Russia’s 49th anti–aircraft missile brigade (Colonel Ivan Grishin) had been killed in fighting near Kharkiv.
He died, bringing the total number of high-ranking Russian military commanders who have been killed on the frontlines up to 35.
John Kirby, Pentagon spokesperson said that in the meantime, the United States is going to start training Ukrainians howitzer-artillery operators within the next few days.
John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesperson, confirmed that U.S. troops will be trained in Ukraine how to use howitzer artillery within the next few days
U.S. sends 18 howitzers in the latest aid package to Ukraine. British troops are seen here using 55mm self-propelled howitzers in Saudi Arabia in 1991
President Joe Biden last week announced another $800 million in military aid to Ukraine, sending heavy artillery systems to Ukraine for the first time as Zelensky’s military gears up to defend the Donbas.
Kirby said the training would happen outside of Ukraine.
He told reporters that he would refrain from discussing who will be training them and what the timeline was.
“I believe that as we become closer to the things we might be able talk a bit more.
“But, there’s a plan that we’re beginning to execute now and we believe that this training could happen within the next few days.”
According to him, the goal was to prepare personnel to be able take that knowledge back to Ukraine to help train soldiers.