The Latest Breaking News from Donbas

The Donbas region was one of the key points for Putin back when the "special military operation" was ordered on February 24

Footage appearing to be of heavy Russian shelling in the east of Ukraine has been shared online while Ukrainian officials have said there have been powerful explosions as the 'battle for Donbas' has started

This live blog is now closed, you can find our latest coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war in our new live blog

Russia's forces carried out dozens of air strikes in eastern Ukraine overnight after Ukrainian officials said Moscow had launched a major offensive, the defence ministry said on Tuesday. Read our live blog to see how all the day's events unfolded.

After days of regrouping and reinforcing, the Russian military began a new and potentially climactic phase of the war in Ukraine

Zelensky says Russia has begun the ‘Battle of Donbas’ in the east

KRAMATORSK, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials said Monday that Russia began its long-anticipated assault to seize control of their country’s eastern industrial heartland, launching a ground assault along a nearly 300-mile front while pounding the nation, including the western city of Lviv, with a deadly barrage of missile strikes.

After withdrawing its troops from the capital Kyiv, Russia is now focusing on the region of Ukraine close to its border.

KRAMATORSK, Ukraine — Ukraine officials said Monday that Russia began its long-anticipated assault to seize control of their country’s eastern industrial heartland, launching a ground assault along a nearly 300-mile front while pounding the nation, including the western city of Lviv, with a deadly barrage of missile strikes.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy says ‘battle for Donbas’ has begun as Russia mounts anticipated offensive in the eastern part of Ukraine

KRAMATORSK, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Russia has launched its long-anticipated assault to seize control of Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland.