Ukraine’s Zelensky concedes Russia has ‘maximum combat power’ in Donbas
- Ukraine braces for large Russian attack on the eastern city of Slovyansk, the base of its forces in the Donbas region
- In a potential setback for Ukraine, US president not prepared to send rockets to Ukraine if they have range to strike Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that Russian forces now enjoyed “maximum combat power” in the Donbas region, as Ukraine’s general staff warned of fresh Russian offensives being prepared in the region.
A large-scale Russian attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk, the base of Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region, was being readied, the Ukrainian general staff’s daily situation report said on Monday.
Russian units were reported to be moving into place from both the Russian-controlled city of Izyum, some 50km (31 miles) to the north, and the recently captured town of Lyman.
Moscow has been pouring its military resources into eastern Ukraine for weeks and, despite heavy resistance from Ukrainian forces, has been slowly gaining ground.
Slovyansk is the base for the Ukrainian armed forces in the country’s east and a Russian seizure of city would mark a significant turning point in the war.
According to the Ukrainian side, Russia has moved 250 military vehicles to the Izyum region and repaired a damaged rail bridge to strengthen supply lines.