Russia preparing to deploy large number of reserve units to Donbass, claims UK

Russian armed forces are trying to encircle Severodonetsk through Izium as well as Popsasna as heavy shelling continues in region, stated UK Defence Ministry in its latest intelligence report. According to British intelligence, Russia has been making preparations to deploy a large number of reserve units in Donbass. statement of UK Defence Ministry comes as war between Russia and Ukraine entered its 119th day. 

"Heavy shelling continues as Russia pushes to envelop Sieverodonetsk area via Izium in rth and Popasna in south. Russia is highly likely preparing to attempt to deploy a large number of reserve units to Donbas," UK Defence Ministry said in latest intelligence update. 

UK Defence Ministry stated that it is likely "becoming increasingly critical" for forces of Russia and Ukraine to deploy reserve units to front in ongoing war. According to British Ministry, Russia has t shared details regarding overall number of military casualties in Ukraine since March 25. It furr said that self-declared Donetsk People's Republic has been releasing casualty figures for DPR forces. DPR has said that as of 16 June, 2128 military personnel have been killed and 8897 ors have been injured since start of 2022. UK Defence Ministry asserted that DPR casualty rate is equivalent to about 55% of its original force and stressed that number of casualties shows "extraordinary attrition Russian and pro-Russian forces are suffering in Donbass." It furr claimed that DPR forces have outdated weapons and equipment. 

'Brutal Russian artillery shelling continues in Kharkiv': Zelenskyy 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that "brutal and cynical" artillery shelling of Russian forces continues in Kharkiv. In his late-night dress on 21 June, Zelenskyy said that Russian forces continue to place "serious pressure" in Donetsk. He furr said, " Russian army is deaf to any rationality. It simply destroys, simply kills in this way shows its command that it is t standing still." Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian forces have been defending in Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia. He said that Ukrainian armed forces have been strengning ir defence in Luhansk region and called it "toughest area" at moment. 

In his video dress, Zelenskyy stressed that he will do his "best" to ensure that EU takes "historic decision" regarding Ukraine. Zelenskyy asserted that y have been working to strengn support for Ukraine's EU candidate status. He informed about his telephonic conversation with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and Prime Minister of Ireland Micheal Marti. Zelenskyy also spoke to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa and Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. He called for imposing seventh pack of European Union sanctions against Russia. 

Im: AP