President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces had “completely destroyed” Ukraine’s eastern Donbass region and accused Moscow of trying to “up the pressure” with “brutal” and “senseless” bombing.
In his most recent video address on Thursday evening, the Ukrainian leader said the Kremlin intensified its offensive after withdrawing its troops from Kharkiv, east of Kyiv, putting even more pressure on the Donbass.
Zelenskyy also reiterated that Russia is committing genocide and said that those who “issue and carry out criminal orders” would be tried “within the international tribunal.”
In a video posted on his social media account, Zelenskyy said: “In Donbass, the occupiers are trying to increase the pressure. There is hell and that is no exaggeration.
“Donbass is completely destroyed. All this has and cannot have any military explanation for Russia.’
Pictured: Rescuers work at the site of a residential building destroyed by Russian shelling in Bakhmut, Donetsk region
Russian troops walk past a destroyed part of the Illich Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol, on the territory under the government of the Donetsk People’s Republic
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces had “completely destroyed” Ukraine’s eastern Donbass region and accused Moscow of trying to “up the pressure” with “brutal” and “senseless” bombing
In his most recent video address on Thursday evening, the Ukrainian leader said the Kremlin intensified its offensive after withdrawing its troops from Kharkiv, east of Kyiv, putting even more pressure on the Donbass. Pictured: A soldier of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) walks by the damaged Savur-Mohyla war memorial complex
Ukrainian secret service soldiers are conducting a patrol and surveillance operation on the outskirts of the separatist Donbass region
He added: “This is a deliberate and criminal attempt to kill as many Ukrainians as possible and destroy as many homes, social facilities and businesses as possible.
“This is being called the genocide of the Ukrainian people and the occupiers will definitely be brought to justice.
“The first trial in Ukraine of a Russian war criminal has already begun and will end with full restoration of justice before the international tribunal. I am sure. We will find and bring to justice anyone who gives and carries out criminal orders.’
Zelenskyy went on to speak about the “constant” strikes across the country, referring to the “terrible” air and missile attacks in Desna, Chernihiv Oblast.
He added: “The brutal and utterly senseless bombing of Severodonetsk – 12 dead and dozens wounded in just one day.
“The bombing and shelling of other cities, the air and missile attacks of the Russian army – all these are not just hostilities during the war.
“Russian strikes in Chernihiv region, especially terrible strike in Desna, rubble clearance continues, many dead; constant strikes in the Odessa region in the cities of central Ukraine.’
The late-night speech comes as Ukraine said this week its forces had for the first time destroyed Russian tanks deep behind enemy lines in the Donbass region using British Brimstone missiles.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, the capitulated heroes of Mariupol were taken to a Russian “concentration camp” for fear for their safety, while Putin continued to suffer beatings from the loss of another colonel, while a soldier was the first to plead guilty to war crimes.
Meanwhile, one of Putin’s top propagandists has declared Russia’s offensive in the Donbass region a failure after incredible images show the inside of the Azovstal steelworks, which has been under siege for much of the war.
A mostly collapsed apartment building is seen in Mariupol – a city almost completely destroyed in more than two months of fighting between Ukraine and Russia
A look at part of the city of Mariupol reveals that almost every building bears the marks of heavy shelling and fire after being almost completely destroyed by Russia’s bombing raid
Digging equipment brought by Russia is trying to clean up badly damaged apartment buildings in Mariupol as those who fled say almost nothing remains of the city
Summarizing the situation of Russian forces in Ukraine on his Telegram channel, Russian intelligence officer and commander Igor Girkin said their intention was “so obvious” that Ukrainian forces were able to resist.
Girkin, who has spoken openly about the difficulties Putin’s forces have been facing over the past few weeks as their invasion of Ukraine drags on, shared a detailed summary of their progress, or lack thereof, on his Telegram channel, adding that the failure to make progress, no problem be surprise.
He wrote: “It is with regret that I must say that the widely advertised […] the operation to defeat the enemy’s Donetsk group failed.
“Only tactical successes were achieved in more than two weeks of bitter hostilities (which cost both sides enormous casualties). Not a single large place has been liberated.’
Girkin said some “local tactical successes” might be achieved before a counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces, but said it was unlikely that the Donbass region would be “fully liberated”, adding: “It is likely that the UAF is not even repelled on the outskirts of Donetsk. And I can’t say that this result is unexpected for me. But on the contrary.’
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin finally used his “Terminator” military vehicles in combat, while Kyiv continues to obliterate invading Russian tanks with British missiles.
Recent footage shows the much-touted armored vehicles deployed in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine to support infantry units fighting in urban areas.
The deployment of the BMPT Terminator comes as the Russian invasion of Ukraine has taken a heavy toll on Putin’s main army tank – the T-90M tank – after Ukrainian forces continued to annihilate them with missiles.
The video shows the much-touted armored vehicles designed to support infantry units fighting in urban areas in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine
Russian BMPT ‘Terminator’ tank support combat vehicle before the Victory Parade in Red Square
To strengthen the Russian arsenal, a platoon of Terminator military vehicles was deployed and used for the first time in the Battle of Donbass.
The BMPTs – or tank support combat vehicles as they are known – were seen near Severodonetsk in the Luhansk region.
“They are involved in the destruction by fire of Ukrainian positions, armored vehicles and crews of anti-tank missile systems,” a defense source told state-run RIA Novosti news agency.
It is equipped with grenade launchers, anti-tank systems and small arms and was named the Terminator by its manufacturer Uralvagonzavod.
The Terminator was deployed in Syria and initially moved to the Ukrainian border in February.
It is unclear why Putin’s generals have delayed the deployment until now.
One theory has it that its besieged commanders don’t trust it to be as all-conquering as its name suggests.
Footage released by Ukraine’s Defense Ministry shows the moment a Russian T-90M tank – a £4million latest-generation war machine – was blown up near Kharkiv
Russian war reporter Alexander Sladkov wrote: “Thank God we’re starting to use Terminators.
“There may be problems and mistakes, but practice is everything.”
A video shows the Terminator during court hearings and was shown at Victory Parades in Red Square
Meanwhile, the T-90 is Russia’s most advanced tank, with the base model entering service in 1992, although production only ramped up in the late 2000s.
The £4million T-90M is the latest version of the tank and entered service in 2016.
Russia is believed to have around 1,000 of all T-90 variants in service, compared to around 5,000 T-72s – the tank on which the T-90 is based and which saw the majority of fighting in Ukraine.
Said to be one of the best tanks in the world, the T-90 has improved armor and missile protection systems compared to the T-72, making it harder to destroy – at least in theory.