Russian troops increase pressure on Ukrainian defenders
According to Ukrainian information, Russian troops have stepped up their attacks in the Donbass ahead of an offensive expected in the coming weeks. “Fighting in the region intensified,” Donetsk Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on Monday. “The Russians are throwing new units into the battle and are wiping out our towns and villages.” Governor Serhiy Hajday reported from the neighboring region of Luhansk that the Russian shelling had abated. The invaders were apparently saving their ammunition for a major offensive.
The presidential office in Kyiv said one civilian had been killed and ten others injured in Russian shelling over the past 24 hours. In Kharkiv alone, five were injured when Russian shells slammed into residential buildings and the university.
Military analysts said Russian troops may be testing the Ukrainian front for weaknesses. But it could also be a diversionary maneuver before a major attack in southern Ukraine.
Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said the first Leopard tank, donated by her country to Ukraine, has arrived in Poland. The training of Ukrainian soldiers on the main battle tank should begin soon, she tweeted on Sunday evening.