Russia has intensified its offensive in eastern Ukraine. Russia is in the process of deploying more troops to capture the Donbass area.
The Russian Foreign Minister has described this as the second phase of the Ukraine war.
However, British intelligence sources said that Russian forces were unable to advance in many areas due to strong opposition from Ukrainian forces.
Nearly two months after Russia invaded Ukraine, Moscow is now stepping up efforts to seize eastern Ukraine, which is rich in coal mines and factories.
The Ukrainian side says it has captured several areas, including the city of Krymminna, and as a result there is a risk that Russian forces may encircle Ukrainian troops in those areas.
In this context, the United States and European countries have pledged further military assistance to Ukraine to prevent Russian forces from occupying eastern Ukraine.
A senior U.S. defense official said yesterday that seven planes carrying U.S. weapons would be heading for Europe in the next 24 hours.
In this context, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Verschuk said yesterday that Ukraine has reached a preliminary agreement with Russia on the creation of a humanitarian route for the safe rescue of Mather, children and the elderly from the besieged city of Mariupol.
Local officials say thousands of people have been killed and the city devastated by the siege of Mariapol.
Meanwhile, senior leaders who question whether President Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine are the right one are now said to be more in Russia.