
Officials on both sides described Tuesday's offensive as the start of a new phase in Russia's campaign for control of Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland. Russia increased its attacks on cities and towns along a front of hundreds of miles.
The Kremlin declared that after its attempt to overrun Kiev had failed, its main focus would be the eastern region of Donbas, where Moscow-backed separatists have fought Ukrainian forces for eight years.
In spite of the mounting casualties and economic hardship caused by the West's sanctions, President Vladimir Putin could present the Russian people with a badly needed victory in the war that has now lasted seven weeks.
Ukraine’s president said that massive numbers of Russian troops were committed to the offensive, though some observers noted that an escalation has been underway there for some time.
19 April 2022
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