Russia is preparing a new wave of offensives against Ukraine for February 24, exactly one year after the beginning of the invasion
.
The Russian military has been testing Ukraine's defense capabilities near Zaporizhzhia in recent days.
This was stated on Radio Svoboda by the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksii Danilov, adding the Russian objective is to expand the borders" of the eastern oblasts of Donetsk and Luhansk.
The war on the ground
A strong explosion rang out this morning in the city of
Mariupol
occupied by Russian forces, in the Donetsk region (southeast).
the mayor's adviser, Petro Andryushchenko, made it known on Telegram, as reported by local media.
The explosion took place near the Azovmash (cargo wagons) and Ilyich (steel) factories. Two people died and seven others were injured during yesterday's Russian bombing of the city of
Kherson
and the homonymous region, in Ukraine southern Italy: the regional military administration announced it on Telegram, as reported by local media.
Three civilians were killed in
Kostyantynivka
,
Donetsk region
, and at least two others were injured in a Russian missile attack this morning.
This was reported by the regional governor, Pavlo Kyrylenko, quoted by Ukrinform.
Military aid to Kiev
Western countries will send more than 300 tanks to Ukraine: said the Ukrainian ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko, in an interview with the French television station affiliated with CNN, BFMTV.
CNN reports it on its website.
"To date, several countries have officially confirmed their agreement to deliver
321 heavy tanks to Ukraine
", Omelchenko said without specifying the countries, or indicating the models of the various tanks destined for Kiev. So far, among the countries that have pledged to send tanks to Ukraine are the USA, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and Poland.The Spanish defense minister, Margarita Robles, assured that the Leopard tanks that Spain will send to Ukraine will arrive in the country "around spring": this was reported by the Spanish radio and television station Rtve.