Russia intensified its assaults on eastern Ukraine on Tuesday with a massive offensive in hopes of turning the tide following seven weeks of pushback by Ukrainian forces and civilian fighters.
After Russia failed to topple the capital city of Kyiv, the Kremlin declared its main objective would be to capture the Donbas region. If successful, it would give Russian President Vladimir Putin a vital piece of Ukraine and a badly needed victory that he could present to his people amid growing casualties and economic hardship caused by several rounds of punishing sanctions by the West.
With its new, narrower goal focused on the east, Russian forces started arranging themselves in a semicircle that stretches west to east from the city of Izium to Sieverodonetsk and sent a small detachment of troops to check out Ukrainian lines, the New York Times reported. Called"shaping operations" in military circles, these smaller attacks are often precursors to larger troop movements.
Russia and Ukraine have failed to agree on evacuation corridors for the third straight day. Despite this, regional officials have continued to urge civilians to flee as fast as possible. Russia's Defense Ministry called on the Ukrainian defenders to surrender and proposed a temporary truce that would allow them to leave the plant but warned,"Do not test your fate."
Troops in the 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade were decried as ruthless war criminals after their commander, Azatbek Omurbekov, allegedly ordered them to commit"utterly inhumane" atrocities in Bucha, a town about 15 miles outside of Kyiv.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Russia begins long-awaited offensive in eastern UkraineNEW: Ukrainian military spokesperson Oleksandr Shtupun says that Russian forces are stepping up attacks in the east.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Russia’s eastern offensive has begun, Ukraine says, as strikes rock LvivMoscow has for weeks been amassing troops and supplies in preparation for its renewed assault on the Donbas region, which became the Kremlin’s primary focus after its forces failed to capture Kyiv during the first phase of the invasion.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Russia 'shaping operations' for new offensive in DonbasLATEST: Pres. Zelenskyy says Russian forces have begun offensive in eastern Ukraine after a week of building up troops: 'It can now be stated that Russian troops have begun the battle for Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time.'
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Kremlin begins battle for Ukraine’s east; Russia learning from mistakes, U.S. saysUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that tough Western sanctions made it daunting for Russia to replenish its weapons supplies.
Read more »
Russia bombs Mariupol, estimated 21,000 people killed in the Ukrainian port townRussia has begun dropping bunker-buster bombs on a Mariupol steel plant where Ukrainians are refusing to surrender, the commander of the Azov Regiment of the National Guard said Monday.
Read more »
Google denies Ukrainian reports it unblurred satellite Maps imagery in RussiaThe company says it hasn’t changed Russian maps.
Read more »