Ukraine says Russia preparing for new offensive to east

Ukraine's Defence Ministry said on April 4th that Russia is preparing to launch a new offensive east of Ukraine in an effort to take control of Harkiv and surround Ukrainian forces.

According to Ukrainian Defence Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, Russia is attacking in the cities of Rubizhne and Popasna in the Luhansk region, paving the way for an attack on Severdonjeck, which is the regional capital. Also, according to this official, Russian forces are gathering in order to take control of Marioupolis, the Ukrainian port city that is surrounded by the Russian army.

Seredonjeck and Marioupol are located at the northern and southernmost ends of “contact line” in Ukraine, which is several hundred miles long.

Motuzyanyk said Russian units are entering from Belarus to Russia, and Moscow is preparing fuel and ammunition reserves in areas bordering eastern Ukraine.

Russia said last week it would withdraw from the Kiev and Cernihivi suburb and focus its military operations east of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is willing to take over the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine.