Russian Forces Launch Intense Attacks Across Donbas, 389 Airstrikes... Civilian Casualties Increase

Occupation of Target Area Fails, Civilian Areas Bombed
Fierce Battles with Ukrainian Forces... Civilian Deaths Increase

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As Russian forces launched airstrikes on about 300 locations in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, intensifying their offensive, ground attacks have been progressing slowly, resulting in a significant increase in civilian casualties. It is interpreted that, as ground operations have not proceeded easily, the strategy has shifted to persistent bombardment aimed at breaking the will of Ukrainian forces and civilians.

According to AFP on the 30th (local time), Russian artillery targeted 389 locations in Ukraine, mainly in the Donbas region. However, the ground advance was blocked by Ukrainian resistance, and the Russian forces reportedly failed to capture three cities: Lyman in Donetsk, and Syevyerodonetsk and Popasna in Luhansk, which were their intended objectives.

AFP cited Ukrainian military officials and Russian military experts, reporting that "the Russian strategy in Donbas has shifted from forceful breakthroughs to persistent attacks that continuously inflict pain." With the irregular terrain of the Donbas plains causing the frontlines of both sides to become entangled like a chessboard, the Ukrainian forces have no choice but to employ delay tactics against a numerically and technologically superior enemy, resulting in fierce battles between the two sides.

In Odesa, Ukraine's largest port city, the runway at the southern Odesa airport was damaged and rendered unusable due to Russian missile airstrikes. Consequently, air raids by Russian fighter jets intensified, continuing around the Azovstal steel plant, the last stronghold of Ukrainian forces in Mariupol.