War in Ukraine: Russia asks its troops to intensify strikes

Houses damaged following a Russian rocket attack, on the outskirts of Pokrovsk, eastern Ukraine, Saturday, July 16, 2022. AP - Nariman El-Mofty

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

The war in Ukraine continues and Russian strikes are increasing in urban areas, far from the front lines.

kyiv says around 40 people have died in the past three days in the bombings.

And Russia could end the “operational pause” decreed eight days ago by Vladimir Putin, according to the latest instructions given to the troops by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

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We must intensify military operations in the Donbass, this is the message sent by Sergueï Choigou during a visit to the soldiers involved in the offensive.

According to a press release from the Russian Ministry of Defense, Sergei Shoigu decorated the two Russian commanders in charge of the offensive in eastern Ukraine and gave the " 

necessary instructions to increase

 " military pressure in Ukraine.

► To read also: 

War in Ukraine: the Russian army is trying by all means to recruit new soldiers

“Preparations are underway”

Everything therefore suggests that the “

 operational pause

 ” decreed by Vladimir Putin after the capture of

Sievierodonetsk

and

Lyssytchansk

is coming to an end.

According to Ukrainian military intelligence, Russian military activity indicates " 

undoubtedly

 " that " 

preparations are underway 

" for the next stage of the offensive.

The objectives of the Russian army are known, they are

Sloviansk

and

Kramatorsk

, the two main cities of the province of Donetsk in the Donbass still under Ukrainian control.

But before that the Russian troops will have to seize the locality of Siversk.

Assaults on the city have increased in recent days, as well as artillery fire.

But so far, Ukrainian forces claim to have repelled every Russian-initiated attempt.

► To read also: the Russians advance in the Donbass and massively bombard Sloviansk

► To read also: 

tense situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant between Russian soldiers and Ukrainian personnel

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