According to Kyiv, Russia has intensified its attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin has warned of “lightning-fast” retaliation against any Western countries that intervene on Ukraine’s behalf.
Russia has launched an offensive to grab two eastern provinces more than two months after an invasion that has leveled cities but failed to capture the capital Kyiv. The West sees the conflict as a decisive turning point in the war.
“The enemy’s offensive operation is picking up speed. The Russian occupants are firing heavily in nearly every direction “The situation on the main front in the east, according to Ukraine’s military command.
According to the report, Russia’s primary strike took place near the towns of Slobozhanske and Donets, along a crucial frontline route that connects Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, with the Russian-occupied city of Izyum. Russian soldiers were intensifying attacks from Izyum, according to the regional governor of Kharkiv, but Ukrainian troops were maintaining their ground.
Despite being driven out of northern Ukraine last month, Russian forces remain entrenched in the east and control a slice of the south that they took in March.
Strong explosions were reported in the southern city of Kherson overnight, Ukraine said, the only regional capital Russia has taken during the invasion. On Wednesday, Russian troops deployed tear gas and stun grenades to disperse pro-Ukrainian protests, and are currently shelling the entire surrounding region and assaulting Mykolaiv and Kryvyi Rih, President Vladimir Zelensky’s southern home city, according to Ukraine.
Moscow is accused by Kyiv of arranging a phony independence referendum in the occupied south. On Thursday, a representative of a self-styled pro-Russian “military-civilian commission” in Kherson told Russian state media that the region would begin utilizing Russia’s rouble currency on May 1.
As the battle in the east has worsened, Western countries have increased military sales to Ukraine. More than 40 countries gathered this week at a US airbase in Germany to contribute heavy weapons like artillery for what is expected to be a massive battle between rival forces along a well-fortified front line.
Washington now hopes that Ukrainian forces can not only stop Russia’s eastward drive but also degrade its military so that it can no longer threaten its neighbors. NATO is waging a “proxy war” against Russia, according to Russia.
“If someone from the outside tries to intervene in the current events and generate strategic dangers for Russia that are unacceptable to us, they should be aware that our retaliation attacks would be lightning-fast,” Putin warned lawmakers in St Petersburg.
“We have all of the necessary tools, which no one else can claim right now. And we won’t brag about it; we’ll use them if necessary. And I’d like everyone to know about it.”
Putin’s comments according to British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace show “almost desperation attempting to expand this either with threats or indeed with potential false flags or assaults.”
“Having failed to achieve nearly all of his goals,” Wallace added, Putin was now attempting to consolidate control of occupied territory. “It’ll just be a cancerous development within Ukraine, making it very difficult for people to get out of their defended positions.”
Thousands of civilians have perished in Mariupol, the destroyed southern port that has been under Russian siege and bombing for two months. Ukrainian troops are still holed up in a massive steel mill. Last week, Putin declared victory in the city by ordering a blockade of the steel mills. Kyiv has requested a ceasefire in order to allow civilians and wounded soldiers to flee.
“The city is not theirs as long as we are here and holding the defense,” Captain Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of Ukraine’s Azov Regiment, told reporters via video link from an unknown location beneath the massive factory.
“The current strategy resembles a medieval siege. They’ve encircled us and aren’t throwing as many forces at us to break our defensive line. They’re carrying out air attacks.”
Since Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine began on February 24, more than 5 million refugees have fled to other countries. Moscow claims its goal is to disarm and defeat nationalists in its neighboring country. That is a phony excuse for a war of aggression, according to the West.
According to the White House, US President Joe Biden will make remarks in support of Ukrainians on Thursday.
While Russia continues its military offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine, its economic war with the West threatens European gas supplies and is wreaking havoc on Russia’s economy.
Moscow halted gas delivery to Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday after they refused to pay in roubles for supplies, marking its first major retaliation against sanctions. The approach was dubbed “blackmail” by the European Commission’s president.
“The sooner everyone in Europe recognizes that they cannot rely on Russia for trade, the sooner European markets will be able to maintain stability,” Zelensky said in a midnight address.
