Ukraine Invation: Kyiv says Donbas offensive ‘has begun’

The Russian offensive on eastern Ukraine has begun on Monday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in a video address.

The statement came amid reports of heavy shelling in the areas of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv, along with the Ukrainian positions in Luhansk and Donetsk.

“We can now say that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time,” Zelenskyy said in a speech published on Telegram.

“A very large part of the entire Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive.”

“No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight. We will defend ourselves. We will do it every day,” he stated.

“It is a matter of principle for them to destroy the symbol of the country’s invincibility,” he said.

Russia continues its offensive in the east “to establish full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk” regions, as well as to maintain a land corridor with the temporarily occupied Crimea,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have reported.

“The main efforts of the enemy are focused on breaking through the defence of Ukrainian troops in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, as well as establishing full control over the city of Mariupol,” the army wrote on Facebook.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden will convene a meeting of allies to discuss the Ukraine conflict Tuesday, the White House said, after Kyiv announced Russia had launched a major new offensive in the east of the country.

An official told the AFP news agency that the meeting “is part of our regular coordination with allies and partners in support of Ukraine,” without naming who would be included on the video call.

The White House said the meeting would also cover “efforts to hold Russia accountable”.

AP, AFP, Reuters