.@GeneralStaffUA also reported "signs of the beginning of an offensive operation in the Eastern Operational Zone." It said Russian forces intensified attacks near Izyum & Sloviansk, as well as around Severodonetsk & Popasna, & in the direction of Kurakhove & Zaporizhzhia areas.
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 18, 2022
More from NSDC's Danilov: "Our military is defending, we are not surrendering our territories."
"The Russian military was tasked to occupy the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts by Easter," he said, referring to Orthodox Easter on April 26, "as a gift to its Fuhrer."
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 18, 2022
"Putin hasn't canceled the task of destroying Ukraine as a state and destroying our political leadership," Danilov added during a national telethon. "The war continues and will be difficult, much remains to be done to ensure our victory."
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 18, 2022
Now President Zelensky, in a new public address, says Russia has begun the battle for the Donbas and concentrated a large part of its army there for an all-out offensive in eastern Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/Itp6VX1ROJ
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 18, 2022
h/t BattleOfArmageddon