Russia-Ukraine conflict: Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Moscow launched offensive for eastern Ukraine

Following the anticipation of an offensive in another region by Russian forces, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed that the offensive has begun. Authorities in Kyiv have already reported explosions coming from the front lines in the eastern region of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said that the “Battle for Donbas” has commenced Monday, with a large part of the Russian forces focusing on this region of Ukraine. Donbas, which has been occupied by pro-Russian separatists, was one of the Ukrainian territories that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin recognized as independent states, sparking the war back in February.

The Kremlin declared during the past several weeks that its new goal was to capture Donbas following its failure to seize control of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. In a video address, Zelenskyy vowed to fight back against Russia’s attempt to take control of any territory of Ukraine.

“No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight. We will defend ourselves. We will do it every day,” said Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, called Russia’s new offensive “the second phase of the war” and assured that Ukrainian forces are capable of resisting the attacks by Russians and pro-Russian separatists.

“This morning, almost along the whole front line of the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv regions, the occupiers attempted to break through our defenses,” said Ukraine’s National Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov. “Fortunately, our military is holding out. They passed through only two cities. This is Kreminna and another small town.”

“We are not giving up any territories,” said Danilov.

Meanwhile, the United Nations is set to debate a resolution that would require the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, China, Russia, France, and the UK - to justify invoking their veto powers. The reform to the Security Council has often been called for in years but has gained support following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

The five permanent members can veto any resolutions by the Security Council, but the 10 other members do not have veto power.

Russia has invoked its veto power in resolutions concerning its invasion of Ukraine, also vetoing the resolution that would call for Moscow to remove troops from Ukraine.