Battle for Donbas
On Monday Russia began the second part of its assault on the eastern front of Ukraine.
The campaign was followed by heavy artillery shelling that rocked the Donetsk region frontline, marking the beginning of the battle for Donbas.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the assault as a much organized offensive compared to the previous haphazard attempt of taking the Capital city of Kyiv by columns of armored vehicles.
After learning from past experience it seems that Kremlin now wants to do things the right way.
Russian forces tried to break through multiple blockades in the Donetsk region and have placed heavy artillery weapons near the front.
The shelling of the areas In the front is a cover for Russian troops to pour into Ukrainian territory through sheer numbers along with logistical support.
He also added that Russians have become more focused on the new eastern offensive, but Ukrainian soldiers are holding the line and will continue to do so till Russia withdraws its troops ending the invasion.
President Zelenskyy has also said that no matter the number of troops Russia deploy ‘s in the battle for Donbas, Ukrainian troops will stand their ground with the clear intention of defending their homeland and prevailing in their efforts.
Mariupol besieged !
The southern port city of Mariupol is on the brink of falling under total Russian control.
After Ukrainian troops entrenched in the Azovstal steel and iron plant refused to
meet Russian demands of surrender, Russian authorities have resorted to dropping cluster bombs inside the city targeting locations where Ukrainian soldiers are situated.
Azovstal steel and iron plant, the last entrenchment of Ukrainian troops in Mariupol, prior to the bombing by Russian forces.
The port city has been dubbed to be a key point in the outcome of the war because it will be easier for Russian troops to access Ukraine directly from the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
The fall of Mariupol seems imminent now as the Ukrainian defenders have been reduced to almost nil in the city.
The preparation
Weeks ago Russia had withdrew all troops from the outskirts or Kiev and the south to strengthen and reinforce it’s combat capabilities for the battle of Donbas.
Russia’s campaign began on Tuesday morning as Ukrainian defenders positioned around the frontline line woke up to heavy artillery bombardment around Marinka, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.
Explosions were also heard in the city of Kharkiv in the north-east, Zaporizhzhia in the south-east and Mykolaiv in the south.
Air raid sirens were also heard along the frontline’s in the center of the Donbas region.
Ukraine’s National Security Council’s Secretary Oleksiy Danilov gave a statement to Ukrainian media on Monday quoted “almost along the whole front line of the Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions, the occupiers attempted to break through our defenses.”
International Scrutiny
An US official has given a statement about pentagon’s assessment of the condition of war, keeping his identity anonymous.
According to him almost 76 Russian Combat units also known as Battalion tactical groups, are currently present in eastern and southern Ukraine.
If Mariupol falls then there will be more Battalion Tactical Units for Russia to deploy in the battle for Donbas.
Moscow can also deploy additional troops that they will be able to bring into the country from Crimea, through the port of Mariupol.
The official also added that on Sunday four US cargo planes had delivered an arm’s shipment of 800$ million dollars as was announced previously by Washington.
The sheer number of Russian troops along with the presence of sophisticated military hardware along the frontlines is much significant in determining the course of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian troops have dug in and around the front lines, prepared to fight with their lives as the battle for Donbas dawns upon them.
Kyiv’s presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak said “ the second phase of Russia’s war in Ukraine has begun”.
The advance of Russian troops from the Eastern side of Ukraine had been widely anticipated, officials had previously advised civilians to flee to the west of the war torn country.
Despite humanitarian corridors being set up in the city of Lviv in the west, civilians have been having a hard time to navigate to safety as Russian air strikes have been targeting civilian infrastructures such as Bridges, Freeways, Overpasses and National Highways as well.
Sabotaging Ukrainian efforts
Lviv was hit on Monday by artillery and missile strikes targeting three military installations housing weapons and ammo supplies sent by US and European counterparts.
The Russian defense ministry said it’s target in Lviv was a large depot holding weapons sent by the US and the European Union.
A spokesman for the Russian ministry, Igor Konashenkov gave a statement that Russian planes “destroyed” the logistics center and a few civilians were injured in the aftermath.
Ukrainian officials have expressed their grave concern, as the weapons could have proven to be useful in the battle for Donbas.
As specialists and global leaders anticipate a more ferocious engagement, heavy casualties are expected on both sides.
The attack on Lviv drives home the point that no place in Ukraine can be deemed safe anymore.
Despite being known as a humanitarian corridor for Ukrainian Refugees, Russia bombed the city with a large number of displaced civilians present within, while the attack was commenced.
Many civilians have already fled the country and with the beginning of the battle for Donbas, Luhansk and Kharkiv, many more are expected to follow in their footprints.
Published by – Mohit Maurya
Edited by – Sanat Sari Saren
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