Russia mounts largest assault in months in eastern Ukraine
Russia has mounted a new offensive operation in eastern Ukraine, targeting the key city of Avdiivka. KYIV -- Ukrainian forces are trying to hold off a major new Russian offensive operation in the strategic city of Avdiivka. Russia sent dozens of tanks and armored vehicles and thousands of troops into the assault, which started four days ago. "They are hitting with everything they have. Yesterday a lot of armor was used, they came in columns. The assault isn’t stopping neither day or night," Vitaliy Barabash, the head of Avdiivka’s military administration, said on Ukrainian television. Russia has also launched smaller offensive operations at points all along the front line, intensifying an offensive near the city of Kupiansk, which Ukraine liberated last year, according to Ukrainian troops on the ground. But the main attack is on Avdiivka, which holds major strategic significance for both sides. Avdiivka is located close to Donetsk, the capital of the Russian-occupied Donetsk ...