Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says the “battle for the Donbas” is now underway

Senior officials have now declared that Russia has begun its much anticipated assault on the eastern region of Ukraine

According to local reports, this is what this evening on the front line is like in Donbas

In a video message, Zelensky says “We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time.”

“A large part of the Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive”

“No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves,” he says.

There’s been another report of Russia increasing its attacks in eastern Ukraine.

The governor of the Luhansk region describing it as hell

Meanwhile, the chief of staff to Ukraine’s President Zelensky says the second phase of war has kicked off because of the new offensive in the east.

Officials in eastern Ukraine have reported another eight civilian deaths on Monday.

Four people were killed by Russian shelling in the Donetsk area, the region’s governor wrote on Telegram.

Addressing fellow Ukrainians, the official says “Believe in our army, it is very strong.”

Russia began a much-anticipated assault on eastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, an offensive said to span about 300 miles.