Russia is trying to increase its presence in eastern Ukraine, and according to intelligence sources in Kiev and western countries, a huge attack, involving hundreds of armored vehicles and tanks, is expected to take place in the coming days in the eastern Donbas region.
Armored columns 12 kilometers long were observed south of Kharkiv and in Donetsk Oblast.
In addition, the Russian Air Force began deploying advanced Sukhoi-27 fighter jets at the military airport near Voronezh.
In the city of Kharkiv, 11 civilians were killed in shelling by the Russian army.
Documentation released from the city showed that the Russians used landmines, and the city authorities asked the residents to stay away from them.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers claim that "Russia used chemical weapons in Mariupol."
According to fighters in the Azov Regiment, who are fortifying themselves in the Azubstal factory north of the city, UAVs from the Russian army dispersed a chemical substance that caused breathing difficulties and burns among the soldiers.
Damage to Russian bombs in Mariupol, Photo: AP
According to reports, the Russians apparently used a non-lethal chemical designed to get the fortifications out of the positions, as they had done in the past in Chechnya.
Earlier today a senior official in Donetsk's unrecognized republic called on Russian military forces to use chemical weapons against the Ukrainian army in Mariupol during a TV broadcast on a local channel.
It is possible that this is a reason or justification for the Russian army to use chemicals against the Ukrainian forces, which for more than a month have endured a particularly severe Russian siege.
The city of Mariupol after the heavy bombing of the Russian forces // Photo: Reuters
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zalansky addressed lawmakers in Seoul asking for tanks and fighter jets.
"South Korea is able to help us," he said.
According to him, in Mariupol, the headline "There are tens of thousands of dead."
Meanwhile, the New York Times reported from a source in the US administration that neutral Sweden and Finland may join the NATO alliance during the summer months.
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