Russia said it intends to establish "full control over the Donbas and southern Ukraine" while claiming to has&nbsp;"liberated" Mariupol.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that "Russia's invasion of Ukraine was intended only as a beginning".

"We will defend ourselves as long as possible but all the nations who, like us, believe in the victory of life over death must fight with us," the Ukraine president said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/can-fly-16000-miles-in-one-hour-how-deadly-is-russias-nuke-capable-satan-2-sarmat-missile-472592">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;How deadly is Russia's nuke-capable 'Satan 2' Sarmat missile?</a>

Amid the fighting, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres is expected to meet Putin in Moscow including visit President Zelensky in Kyiv even as Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were not moving forward.

"Since the start of the second phase of the special operation one of the tasks of the Russian army is to establish full control over the Donbas and southern Ukraine," Russia's Major General Rustam Minnekaev said, adding, "This will provide a land corridor to Crimea." &nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced a "special military operation" on February 24 as Russian forces invaded Ukraine, however, they were met with fierce resistance by Ukrainian forces. Russia in recent weeks has said it will concentrate its forces in the eastern region.

Watch:&nbsp;Is the West trying to hide Russian oil imports?

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Meanwhile, France announced it will send heavy artillery to Ukraine including Milan anti-tank missiles and&nbsp;Caesar self-propelled howitzers. However, the French government did not specify the number of missiles and howitzers meant for Ukraine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/moskva-attack-why-ukraines-anti-ship-missile-neptune-is-a-gamechanger-471637">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;&nbsp;Why Ukraine's anti-ship missile Neptune is a gamechanger</a>

The French government asserted that Ukrainian troops will be trained on operationalising the weapons.&nbsp;

President Zelensky has been pleading for more arms and ammunition since the beginning of the war as Russian forces have laid siege on Ukrainian cities.

As the war drags on with energy security taking centre stage, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his government intends to cut Russian oil and gas imports by end 2022 with coal imports from Russia set to end in August.

Spain meanwhile said it has reopened its embassy in Kyiv after it had evacated its staff when Russia began its invasion on February 24 even as the government vowed to double its military equipment sale to Ukraine.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Russia said it intends to establish "full control over the Donbas and southern Ukraine" while claiming to has "liberated" Mariupol. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that "Russia's invasion of Ukraine was intended only as a beginning".

Russia said it intends to establish "full control over the Donbas and southern Ukraine" while claiming to has "liberated" Mariupol. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that "Russia's invasion of Ukraine was intended only as a beginning". "We will defend ourselves as long as possible but all the nations who, like us, believe in the victory of life over death must fight with us," the Ukraine president said. Also Read in Pics: How deadly is Russia's nuke-capable 'Satan 2' Sarmat missile? Amid the fighting, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres is expected to meet Putin in Moscow including visit President Zelensky in Kyiv even as Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were not moving forward. "Since the start of the second phase of the special operation one of the tasks of the Russian army is to establish full control over the Donbas and southern Ukraine," Russia's Major General Rustam Minnekaev said, adding, "This will provide a land corridor to Crimea." Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced a "special military operation" on February 24 as Russian forces invaded Ukraine, however, they were met with fierce resistance by Ukrainian forces. Russia in recent weeks has said it will concentrate its forces in the eastern region. Watch: Is the West trying to hide Russian oil imports? Meanwhile, France announced it will send heavy artillery to Ukraine including Milan anti-tank missiles and Caesar self-propelled howitzers. However, the French government did not specify the number of missiles and howitzers meant for Ukraine. Also Read in Pics: Why Ukraine's anti-ship missile Neptune is a gamechanger The French government asserted that Ukrainian troops will be trained on operationalising the weapons. President Zelensky has been pleading for more arms and ammunition since the beginning of the war as Russian forces have laid siege on Ukrainian cities. As the war drags on with energy security taking centre stage, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his government intends to cut Russian oil and gas imports by end 2022 with coal imports from Russia set to end in August. Spain meanwhile said it has reopened its embassy in Kyiv after it had evacated its staff when Russia began its invasion on February 24 even as the government vowed to double its military equipment sale to Ukraine. (With inputs from Agencies)

Task is to establish full control over Donbas and southern Ukraine: Russia

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on Tuesday that "Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas".

The Ukraine president added that Russian troops were "preparing for a long time" for the Donbas offensive. Putin's forces had captured Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, ever since then pro-Russian separatists have been fighting Ukraine's forces in a low-intensity war in the eastern region.

Zelensky asserted that "no matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves."

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Lugansk governor added that Russia had entered the eastern region with "huge amount of military hardware" as Ukraine's army retreated to "new positions".

President Putin had announced a "special military operation" on February 24 as his forces launched an invasion against Ukraine. However, Ukraine's forces have maintained fierce resistance against Russian forces for nearly two months with most regions holding against Russia's overwhelming military power.

Watch:&nbsp;Ukraine ignores Russia's surrender call for Mariupol

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Ukraine had pulled out civilians from Donbas region in anticipation of the Russian attack even as Putin's forces continued their push towards Mariupol which has reportedly been encircled.&nbsp;

Russia had directed Ukrainian forces to surrender on Sunday, however, Zelensky's forces rejected the proposal vowing to fight till the end.

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Russia escalated the offensive on Ukraine on Monday targeting key cities while pounding Lviv city with missiles. Kremlin said the Lviv strike was aimed at an ammunition depot where Ukraine had apparently stored weapons sent by the US and Europe.

Meanwhile, Pentagon said a shipment worth $800-million is ready to be delivered to Ukraine as Russia prepares to carry out a major offensive in Donbas.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on Tuesday that "Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas". The Ukraine president added that Russian troops were "preparing for a long time" for the Donbas offensive.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on Tuesday that "Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas". The Ukraine president added that Russian troops were "preparing for a long time" for the Donbas offensive. Putin's forces had captured Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, ever since then pro-Russian separatists have been fighting Ukraine's forces in a low-intensity war in the eastern region. Zelensky asserted that "no matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves." Also Read in Pics: Moskva attack: Why Ukraine's anti-ship missile Neptune is a gamechanger Lugansk governor added that Russia had entered the eastern region with "huge amount of military hardware" as Ukraine's army retreated to "new positions". President Putin had announced a "special military operation" on February 24 as his forces launched an invasion against Ukraine. However, Ukraine's forces have maintained fierce resistance against Russian forces for nearly two months with most regions holding against Russia's overwhelming military power. Watch: Ukraine ignores Russia's surrender call for Mariupol Ukraine had pulled out civilians from Donbas region in anticipation of the Russian attack even as Putin's forces continued their push towards Mariupol which has reportedly been encircled. Russia had directed Ukrainian forces to surrender on Sunday, however, Zelensky's forces rejected the proposal vowing to fight till the end. Also Read in Pics: How Harpoon anti-ship missiles in Ukraine's arsenal can disbalance Russia Russia escalated the offensive on Ukraine on Monday targeting key cities while pounding Lviv city with missiles. Kremlin said the Lviv strike was aimed at an ammunition depot where Ukraine had apparently stored weapons sent by the US and Europe. Meanwhile, Pentagon said a shipment worth $800-million is ready to be delivered to Ukraine as Russia prepares to carry out a major offensive in Donbas. (With inputs from Agencies)

Russian troops have begun battle for Donbas, says Ukraine President Zelensky

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Task is to establish full control over Donbas and southern Ukraine: Russia

Russian troops have begun battle for Donbas, says Ukraine President Zelensky