There Russia is preparing to attack Ukrainian forces from three directions in eastern Ukraine. This was reported by the general staff of Kiev, quoted by Kyiv Independent.
Russian forces, it is explained, are gathering near Lyman in Donetsk Oblast to launch an offensive. Attacks are also expected in Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts.
In Sumy oblast, 20 artillery shells from the Russian village of Zernovo took place in the space of just one hour against the Ukrainian border district of Shostka. There were no injuries, reports the Ukrainian border guard, cited by Kyiv Independent.
The Russian troops have entered Severodonetsk and are approaching the city centersaid the governor of the Luhansk region, Serhiy Haidai, quoted by the BBC. The fighting is so intense, he says, that Ukrainian forces are no longer able to count the dead. Among the victims today there is also the French journalist Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff who was in an official evacuation convoy when he was killed by a shrapnel from an artillery shell that hit him in the neck.
Today Turkish President Recep Tayyp Erdogan had a telephone conversation first with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and then with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
Turkey is ready to host a meeting between Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations in Istanbul, as well as to play a role in an agreed ” observation mechanism ”, is the proposal that Erdogan formulated to Putin. “Peace must be reached as soon as possible,” Erdogan told Putin, stressing at the same time the need to build a mechanism of trust between the parties.
“There is a need for measures to minimize the negative effects of the war and to re-establish a ground for peace,” President Erdogan told Putin, as reported by the note released by the Ankara presidency office.
Putin for his part explained that Russia is ready to resume exports of agricultural products, food and fertilizers if sanctions are lifted. This is what the Kremlin made known.
“In light of the problems in the global food market that have arisen as a result of the short-sighted financial and economic policies of the Western states, it has been confirmed that Russia can export significant volumes of fertilizers and agricultural products if the restrictions on Russian sanctions are lifted,” reports the Kremlin, according to reports from TASS.
The call also emphasized the need to ensure safe navigation in the Black and Azov Seas, eliminating the threat of mines in their waters. “Vladimir Putin noted the willingness of the Russian side to facilitate unimpeded maritime transit of goods in coordination with Turkish partners. This also applies to the export of grain from Ukrainian ports,” the note added.
After the phone call with Erdogan, Ukrainian President Zelensky wrote on Twitter: “The dialogue with the Turkish president Erdogan continues. Discussed the food security threats posed by the aggressor and ways to unblock Ukrainian ports. Discussed on cooperation in the security sphere. Unanimously agreed on the need to restore peace. We appreciate the Turkish help in this process. ”
#Ukrainian #war #Kiev #Russia #prepares #attacks #directions