Russo-Ukrainian War: Donbas offensive unfolds

Russian forces, Ukraine officials say, have begun a much-anticipated Donbas offensive in multiple Ukrainian cities. Rocket and artillery fire rained down on the targeted Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian media reported a series of explosions. Considerable damage was caused. An estimated 40-50,000 Ukrainian soldiers are believed to be in the Donbas region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in one of his now nightly video addresses, stated the battle "for the Donbas has begun". Seven people, during in four Russian strikes in western Lviv, were killed. A further eleven people were injured.

Lviv, since Russia's invasion began, had been spared the kind of attacks seen elsewhere in Ukraine. The offensive, after Russia failed to seize Kyiv, has been long expected.

"Luhansk Oblast Governor: Over 100,000 residents left without gas, electricity," Kyiv Independent tweeted. "According to Serhiy Haidai, 37 settlements in the region are cut off from gas due to the Russian shelling, while 32 settlements lack electricity."

Serhiy Haidai, the Luhansk region governor, considers the situation "hell".

"Luhansk Oblast Governor Serhiy Haidai confirmed today that Kreminna is lost after days of urban warfare," Kyiv Independent journalist and editor Oleksiy Sorokin tweeted. "The Severedonetsk agglomeration remains the last major urban area in Luhansk Oblast under the Ukrainian flag. It’s constantly shelled."

Andriy Yermak, serving as Zelensky's chief of staff, notes the attacks signify "the second phase of the war". Yermak believes Ukrainian forces can hold off Russia's latest offensive. "Believe in our army," said Yermak, "it is very strong."

"A very large part of the entire Russian army is now focused on this offensive," Zelenskyy said, "[but Ukraine's forces will fight on] no matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight."

Oleksiy Danilov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, said that Russia tried and failed to break through Ukrainian front lines.

"This morning, an active phase of the Russian offensive set off almost along the entire front line, the occupiers tried to break through our defenses. Our military is defending, we are not surrendering our territories," tweeted Danilov.

Failure to achieve desired goals must be frustrating Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin has portrayed the invasion as a "special operation" designed to demilitarise Ukraine. No one with any real intelligence believes the Russian president's words. Smoke and mirrors spring to mind. Mariupol, Ukraine's south-eastern port city, has been under constant attack since the invasion began.

Putin wants the port city because it would give him easier access to Crimea. Russian troops could construct a land-bridge between the occupied peninsula and eastern Ukraine. Russian forces, seeking weaknesses in the Ukrainian defences, attacked along most of the eastern front line. Separatists have held claim to various regions of eastern Ukraine for some considerable time.

John Kirby cautions Russia might be "setting the conditions for future offensive operations". Kirby, as well as being The Pentagon's press secretary, also serves as the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.

General Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defence Ministry, revealed Russia's forces have destroyed at least 16 Ukrainian military facilities. The facilities destroyed, according to Shoigu, include five command posts, three ammunition warehouses, and a fuel depot.

A massive strike against the facilities was carried out in the dead of night. Curiously, adding significant fuel to the metaphorical fire, claims regarding the shooting down of Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29s and a Su-25 were made.

Kreminna, situated in Luhansk Oblast, has fallen to Russian troops. Local authorities have reported four refugees, trying to escape the city, were killed in the attempt. Russian forces, not caring to target legitimate military facilities have been picking off civilians at will.