Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told Ukrainian state television on Tuesday that Russia’s tactics “suggest it is preparing for a long-term military operation” in the east of Ukraine.
He added that the latest assault represented “the most active phase of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine,” Polish state news agency PAP reported.
24-hour artillery shelling, air bombardment
Matuzyanyk said that “the bitterest fighting” was taking place in the Donetsk region, including the city of Sloviansk.
“The occupiers are keeping up artillery and air bombardment effectively round the clock, shelling residential districts,” he added.
According to Ukraine’s defence ministry, the Russian army is aiming to surround the cities of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk.
This may help the Russians capture the entire Luhansk region, Matuzyanyk said.
Matuzyanyk also said that Ukraine would be working to prevent such a scenario.
“The heavy fighting currently taking place in eastern Ukraine may shape the outcome of the war,” he told the Ukrainian broadcaster.
Wednesday is day 91 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, wiadomosci.wp.pl