'Battle for the Donbas': Russia commences new offensive in eastern region, Ukrainian officials say

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a 'significant part' of the Russian army is now focused on taking control of eastern Ukraine. 

Firefighters drive towards a fire at a factory after a Russian attack in the outskirts of Kharkiv over the weekend. Picture: AP Photo/Felipe Dana

Russia appears to have begun its new offensive in the east of Ukraine, Ukraine's top security official has said.

"This morning, along almost the entire front line of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions, the occupiers attempted to break through our defences," Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said in comments broadcast on Ukrainian television this evening.