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Kiev: Russian offensive launched in the east

According to the Ukrainian general staff, Russia has started the expected offensive in the east of the country. “Indications of the start of the offensive in the Eastern Operational Zone are being identified,” the General Staff said in Kiev this evening. The Kharkiv and Donetsk regions were highlighted. Advances towards Barvinkove and Sloviansk in the Donetsk region are expected from Izyum in the Kharkiv region.

Smoke over Rubishna

APA/AFP/Ronaldo Schemidt

The governor of the Luhansk region, Serhiy Hajdaj, also spoke of the Russian attacks. “Control of the city of Kreminna has just been lost. Street fights are happening.” Evacuation of the small town is no longer possible. “The situation is getting worse by the hour.” There is also heavy fighting in the cities of Rubishne and Popasna.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych had previously reported on Russian advances towards Hulyaipole in the southeastern Zaporizhia region. About 10,000 Russian soldiers would be in action. The war of Russian aggression against the neighboring country has lasted more than seven weeks.