About: Donbas
Dozens missing after strike on Ukraine mall, Russia presses attacks on east
Dozens of people were still missing on 29 June after a Russian missile strike on a shopping mall in central Ukraine two days ago, while a regional governor said the situation was "very difficult" in Lysychansk in the east.
Russia steps up missile strikes on Ukraine as G7 leaders gather
Russian missiles struck an apartment block and close to a kindergarten in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Sunday, in strikes US President Joe Biden condemned as "barbarism" as world leaders gathered in Europe to discuss further sanctions against Moscow.
Russians ‘fully occupy’ Severodonetsk, shift focus to Lysychansk
Russia's army has "fully occupied" the key Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk after weeks of fighting, its mayor said, as Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to send nuclear-capable missiles to Belarus within months.
Ukraine reports ‘massive’ attack from Belarus
Ukraine said it came under "massive bombardment" Saturday (25 June) from neighbouring Belarus, a Russian ally not officially involved in the conflict, the day after announcing a retreat from the strategic city of Severodonetsk.
‘This is a victory’: smiling Zelenskyy promises EU membership while battles rage
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday (23 June) declared the EU's move to accept Ukraine as a candidate for accession as a victory and promised not to rest until Russia's defeat and full membership had been secured.
Fifteen killed as Russia rains rockets on Kharkiv
Russian forces pounded Ukraine's second largest city Kharkiv and its countryside with rockets on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people, in what Kyiv called a bid to force it to pull resources from the main battlefield to protect civilians.
Key Ukrainian city of Lysychansk under ‘massive’ Russian bombardment
Ukrainian forces are facing "massive" and relentless artillery attacks in a battleground eastern city of Lysychansk, Kyiv warned, as Russian troops gained ground throughout the Donbas region.
Zelenskyy defiant as Russia intensifies attacks in east, seizes territory
Ukraine acknowledged difficulties in fighting in its east as Russian forces captured territory and intensified pressure on two cities ahead of an EU summit this week expected to welcome Kyiv's bid to join the bloc.
Russia to ‘intensify’ fighting, Zelenskyy warns as EU decision on Ukraine looms
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Sunday (19 June) that Russia was likely to intensify its "hostile activity" this week, as Kyiv awaits a historic decision from the European Union on its membership application.
Kremlin pledges support after Donbas separatist leader calls for more forces
Russia's main goal of its military operation in Ukraine is to protect the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics, the Kremlin said on Monday (13 June), after the leader of one of the separatist regions asked for additional forces from Moscow.
Merkel defends legacy of her Russia policy amid Ukraine war
In her first bigger media appearance since the end of her political career, former German chancellor Angela Merkel defended her controversial Russia policy and denied that she tried to appease Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Advancing Russian forces reach key highway out of Donbas cities
Advancing Russian forces came closer to surrounding Ukrainian troops in the east, briefly seizing positions on the last highway out of a crucial pair of Ukrainian-held cities before being beaten back, a Ukrainian official said on Thursday (26 May).
Russia launches all-out assault to encircle Ukraine troops in east
Russian forces were launching an all-out assault to encircle Ukrainian troops in twin cities straddling a river in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday (24 May), a battle which could determine the success or failure of Moscow's main campaign in the east.
Ukraine insists on territorial integrity as Turkey talks loom
With peace talks between Russia and Ukraine set to take place in Turkey this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted on the territorial integrity of his country after earlier suggesting he was ready for a compromise.
Putin’s recognition of breakaway regions pushes EU to fast-track sanctions
Russian President Vladimir Putin's recognition of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in eastern Ukraine on Monday (21 February), is likely to force the EU to fast-track a decision to impose extensive sanctions on Moscow.
EU slams Russian lawmakers’ bid to recognise separatist Ukraine regions
The EU on Tuesday (15 February) condemned a bid by Russian lawmakers to have President Vladimir Putin recognise separatist regions in Ukraine as independent, saying it would violate the Minsk agreements Moscow had signed up to.
Separatist leader says full-scale war in east Ukraine could break out any time
A Russian-backed separatist leader in eastern Ukraine said on Monday (7 February) that full-scale war could break out there at any time and his forces might need to turn to Moscow for support.
Dispatches from the Donbas: What’s next in Ukraine’s ‘forever war’?
After eight years of war in its east, Ukraine is torn between preparations and its officials trying to keep calm over the Russian invasion threat. Here’s how the country braces for what could come.
‘Stay calm’ EU tells US as Ukraine braces for the worst
While Ukraine is bracing for the worst, a possible Russian invasion, EU diplomats on Monday (24 January) regretted the US decision to evacuate diplomats' families from Kyiv could be interpreted as a sign that the West accepts such a scenario.
Russian mercenaries deploy to eastern Ukraine
Russian mercenaries have deployed to separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine in recent weeks to bolster defences against Ukrainian government forces as tensions between Moscow and the West rise, four sources have told Reuters.
Ukraine accuses former president Poroshenko of high treason
Ukrainian authorities placed former president Petro Poroshenko under formal investigation for high treason on Monday (20 December), accusing him of links to financing separatist forces in the eastern Donbass region.
Ukraine mobilises NATO’s diplomatic and political means over Russia troops build-up
After Kyiv and Moscow traded blame over the worsening situation in the eastern Donbas region, Ukraine was able to mobilise its Western allies at political level, with several high-level meetings planned this week.
EU demands access to Donbas for international organisations during coronavirus restrictions
Russian-backed armed formations in the breakaway Donbas region have since Saturday (21 March) denied access to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) mission monitoring the conflict, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service reported on Tuesday.