Ukraine military chief warns of ‘significantly’ worsening battlefield situation

(Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

Ukraine’s military chief has warned that the battlefield situation in the industrial east has “significantly worsened in recent days”, as warming weather allowed Russian forces to launch a fresh push.

In an update on the Telegram messaging app, General Oleksandr Syrsky said that Moscow had “significantly” ramped up its assaults since President Vladimir Putin extended his nearly quarter-century rule in a preordained election last month that saw anti-war candidates barred from the ballot and independent voices silenced in a Kremlin-backed media blockade.