The coal- and steel-producing Donbas has been the focal point of Russia's campaign to destabilise Ukraine since 2014, when the Kremlin used proxies to set up separatist "people's republics" in parts of Luhansk and Donetsk provinces. It has also made long-distance strikes at other targets including the capital. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that "another stage of this operation is beginning".ĭriven back by Ukrainian forces in March from an assault on Kyiv in the north, Russia has instead poured troops into the east for the Donbas offensive.
Ukraine said the new assault had resulted in the capture of Kreminna, an administrative centre of 18,000 people in Luhansk, one of the two Donbas provinces. Kyiv and its Western allies reject that as a false pretext. 24 to demilitarise and "denazify" Ukraine. Russia says it launched what it calls a "special military operation" on Feb. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a four-day humanitarian pause in the fighting this coming weekend, when Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter, to allow civilians to escape and humanitarian aid to be delivered. President Joe Biden is expected to announce a new military aid package about the same size as last week's $800 million one in the coming days, multiple sources told Reuters. "We will continue to provide them more ammunition, as we will provide them more military assistance," White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said, adding new sanctions were being prepared. The United States, Canada and Britain said they would send more artillery weaponry. "Russia's armed forces, based purely on humanitarian principles, again propose that the fighters of nationalist battalions and foreign mercenaries cease their military operations from 1400 Moscow time on 20th April and lay down arms," the Russian Defence Ministry said.
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