Russia shifts focus to take Eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian President Zelensky says Russia is repositioning and regrouping troops for its next offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Thousands of soldiers are allegedly being concentrated into one region, after Russian forces were prevented from taking the capital of Kyiv.

Russia says its main objective now lies in overthrowing the eastern part of its neighbouring nation, demanding Kyiv hands over control of the Donbas region to Russian-backed separatists.

But Ukraine’s military isn’t giving up that easily, with leaders saying they are prepared for a full-scale battle.

This comes as Austria’s Chancellor has visited Vladimir Putin directly, but behind closed doors and no press conference afterwards.

The besieged city of Mariupol remains the top prize for Russia at this stage, where thousands of innocent civilians have reportedly lost their lives as a result of Putin’s bloody war.

In surrounding Europe, Finland and Sweden have been warned against joining NATO, with Russia saying it “would not being bring stability in Europe”.

This follows earlier reports the two countries were in talks to become part of the strategic alliance.

The Kremlin’s top spokesperson says “the alliance remains a tool geared towards confrontation”.

US defence officials believe Moscow’s invasion has been a “massive strategic blunder”, likely to result in NATO enlargement.

Meanwhile, as western leaders including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Austrian chancellor visit Ukraine, the United States says its main focus remains providing weapons and military assistance to the war-torn country.