UK Defence Ministry claims Russia deployed 22 battalion tactical groups near Izium

In a key development pertaining to ongoing war in Eastern Europe, Russia on Wednesday positioned 22 battalion tactical units near Izium, Ukraine's eastern metropolis, in an attempt to vance along Donbass region's norrn axis, Britain warned on May 4. According to a Twitter post, British military intelligence believes Russia intends to go beyond Izium and conquer cities of Kramatorsk and Severodonetsk.  British Defence Ministry went on to say that capturing se locations would solidify Russian military control of north-eastern Donbass and serve as a staging point for ir efforts to cut off Ukrainian forces in region.

Meanwhile, evacuation of civilians from Mariupol entered its fourth day, according to officials, even as Russian forces stormed steel plant, which Ukrainian defenders claim is last pocket of resistance in Mariupol. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 156 people have been rescued in last 24 hours and have arrived in Zaporizhzhia after being in shelters for more than two months.

Russia-Ukraine War

Russian-Ukraine war has now entered its 70th day, wreaking havoc on Ukraine's daily life and infrastructure. According to US, conflict in has exacerbated difficulties created by coronavirus epidemic in Western Hemisphere, such as increased poverty. Meanwhile, in a phone chat with his Russian counterpart Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised gravity of repercussions.

Belarus' Armed Forces launched surprise army drills on Wednesday to assess its forces' "combat reiness" in context of Russia-Ukraine conflict. testing will see a large number of military vehicles moving around. Belarus has remained a staunch Russian supporter. Although Georgia did not directly participate in conflict against Ukraine, it aided Russia by sheltering 30,000 Russian troops prior to invasion, according to BBC.

commander of Ukrainian Joint Forces, Lieutenant-General Serhiy Nayev, paid a visit to defending positions in Luhansk and Donetsk regions. According to UKrinform, Nayev stated that Ukrainian troops h been reinforced in risky locations. He described situation in territory where fighting is taking place as "difficult," referring specifically to Izium area in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, as well as Velyka Novosika. He claimed that Russian troops attempted to attack Ukrainian forces with battalion tactical groups every day.

(With agency inputs)

Image: AP