Eastern Ukraine prepares for new Russian offensive

Synopsis

Eastern areas of Ukraine prepare for a potential new Russian offensive as President Vladimir Zelensky warns of large-scale military operations. Russian troops are reportedly moving to intensify their attacks, with bombardments affecting various sites across Ukraine, including the city of Nepro, where missiles have destroyed the local airport and caused injuries. Ukrainian authorities are urging civilians in the eastern regions to evacuate while they strengthen defenses, particularly in the strategically important city of Izium and the besieged city of Mariupol. The goal of the Russian forces appears to be the capture of the Donbass area, which includes the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Investigators continue to exhume bodies from mass graves around Kyiv, with over 1,200 bodies discovered following the withdrawal of Russian troops from those areas.