Russia increases military activities in Ukraine
Russia is preparing for the next phase of its offensive in Ukraine, a Ukrainian military official said, after Russia said its forces would step up military activity in all areas of “military operations”.
“It’s not just missile strikes from the air and sea. We can expect shelling along the entire line of contact and the entire front line. Russia can actively use tactical aircraft and attack helicopters. It’s clear that Russia is preparing for the next stage of the offensive,” said Vadym Skibitskyi, a spokesman for Ukraine’s intelligence services.
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Ukrainian police patrol in the village of Dmytrivka, western Ukraine on April 2. Photo: AFP |
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military also said that Russia was gathering forces to launch an attack on Sloviansk, a symbolic city held by Ukraine in the eastern Donetsk region. The British Ministry of Defense assessed on July 17 that Moscow was strengthening defenses in areas it had taken control of in southern Ukraine after the Ukrainian government and military pledged to push Russia out of the country.
According to the ministry, Russia is rotating troops and equipment between the three cities of Kherson, Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia, and is strengthening security around Melitopol. “Given the manpower challenge, the build-up of Russian forces in the south while continuing the fight for Donbas shows that Russian commanders have recognized the seriousness of the threats.”
Ukraine accused Russia of launching a missile attack on the center of Vinnytsia on July 14 and firing more than 50 Grad rockets at the city of Nikopol on the Dnipro River. Ukrainian President Zelensky said that up to now, Russia has used more than 3,000 cruise missiles and carried out countless artillery and air strikes against targets in Ukraine. Moscow has not yet responded to Ukraine's above statement./.
