Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Kyiv Will Defend Itself, Says Zelenskyy As Russian Forces Attack Donbas Region

Russian forces had launched an effort to break through Ukrainian front lines in three regions including Luhansk, Donetsk and Kharkiv

Ukrainian frontline in Donbass (Getty Image)

New Delhi: Russian forces have shifted its focus on the eastern region after withdrawing troops from Kyiv by launching a new offensive in the Donbas area on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the aggression saying that the Russian forces have started the battle for Donbas and added that Kyiv will defend itself, according to news agency ANI.

"Russian forces have started the battle for Donbas for which they've been preparing for a long time and a considerable amount of the Russian forces are concentrated and focused on that offensive," Zelensky said, according to CNN.

"No matter how many Russian servicemen they're bringing into that area, we will keep on fighting and defending and we will be doing this daily. We will not give up anything that is Ukrainian but we don't need anything that is not ours," Zelenskyy added.

After three days of fighting, Russian forces have captured the town of Kreminna in Luhansk Oblast .

Luhansk regional military administrator Serhiy Haidai said the town was targeted by heavy artillery overnight, that set off seven residential buildings on fire along with the Olympus sports complex where the nation’s Olympic team trains, according to news agency AP report.

What is the focus of Russian aggression?

Russian forces had launched an effort to break through Ukrainian front lines in three regions, as per Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.

Talking to CNN, Danilov informed that almost along the entire front line of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv regions, the occupiers tried to break through our defences.

He added that the military is holding on, and only in two cities the Russians have passed including Kreminna and another small town. “The fighting is on and we are not surrendering our territories and the attempt to start an active phase has begun this morning," he added.

Meanwhile, the US is supporting Ukraine for its defence and sent four planes filled with security assistance to Ukraine over the weekend and delivered one already on Monday.

"There were four planes that arrived of military assistance over the course of the weekend, another one is supposed to arrive today if it hasn't already from the $800 million package the President announced," said White House spokesperson Jen Psaki.