Moscow (AFP) Russia has sent reinforcements to eastern Ukraine ahead of a new offensive that could begin next week along a front that has been fought relentlessly for months, the Ukrainian governor said.
Russia has asked the US embassy in Moscow to stop spreading what the Kremlin believes to be fake news about military operations in Ukraine and has threatened to expel US diplomats, according to TASS.
Russia has sent reinforcements to eastern Ukraine ahead of a new offensive expected to start next week along a front that has been relentlessly fought for months, the Ukrainian governor said.
A Moscow court on Tuesday upheld an earlier decision to revoke the license of a top independent newspaper that has criticized the Kremlin for years as part of a crackdown on dissenting authorities.
However, it remains unlikely that Russia will be able to build the military necessary to significantly affect the outcome of the war in the coming weeks. Construction of a protective structure for the main facility of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine is nearing completion, Russian state news agency TASS said on Tuesday, citing a top adviser to the Russian nuclear power plant operator. reported.
Europe’s largest Zaporizhia nuclear power plant was captured by Russian forces last March in the early days of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
It remains close to the front lines, is under repeated attacks, and fuels fears of a nuclear catastrophe.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Mali early Tuesday morning with the military junta’s leaders to seek Moscow’s help in dealing with the Islamist insurgency that has entrenched despite years of fighting. talked.
Since taking control of Mali in his two coups since August 2020, the military junta led by Colonel Asimigoita has sought to help fight the jihad after successfully demanding the withdrawal of French troops. Accepted Russian help. Ukraine, desperate for Western military aid to arrive, believes Russia could launch a major offensive around February 24, the anniversary of the invasion, for “symbolic” reasons. Ukraine itself is planning a spring offensive to regain lost territory but is awaiting promised Western deliveries of long-range missiles and main battle tanks, some analysts say He said it would take several months to be ready.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for an end to the spread of “rumors”.
Or any other “pseudo-information” that could undermine unity in the war with Russia.
His remarks in a speech before parliament appeared to end public speculation about whether Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov would be deposed, stressing that only the president can make and announce such a decision. .
Senior lawmaker and presidential ally David Alakamir said on Sunday that Reznikov would be replaced following the ministry’s corruption scandal. The next day, Alakamia said there would be no personnel changes this week, and appeared to have turned back after Zelensky remained silent about Reznikov’s future and other politicians publicly defended the minister’s record.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday that Moscow forces had “successfully advanced” near the eastern Ukraine cities of Bakhmut and Vkhredal and warned Western countries not to ramp up arms supplies to Kyiv.
Russian shelling hit more civilian targets in Ukraine, setting hospitals on fire and damaging five apartments in one city, local officials said Tuesday.
