Fighting in the East of Ukraine has reached maximum intensity – Defence Ministry

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO — MONDAY, 30 MAY 2022, 16:21

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence says that the fighting in the East has reached maximum intensity.

Source: Oleksandr Motuzianyk, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, at a briefing at the Ukraine-Ukrinform Media Center

Details: According to Motuzianyk, the Russian occupying forces are conducting non-stop offensive operations in the Eastern operational zone with the aim of establishing full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, ensuring the stability of the land corridor from Rostov Oblast to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and blocking Ukraine's maritime communications in the north-western part of the Black Sea.

Direct quote: "The Russian command has deployed all its forces for this purpose and is trying to encircle our troops in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The fighting has reached maximum intensity, and the Russian occupying forces are firing along the entire contact line and trying to hit the depths of our defence with artillery.

The assault is being carried out on several fronts at the same time. The fiercest fighting is taking place on the Sieverodonetsk, Bakhmut and Kurakhivsk fronts."

More details: The Ministry of Defence spokesperson also said that over the past week, the invaders have forcibly taken about 3,000 Ukrainians, including more than 300 children, to a filtration camp near Bezimenne, 20 km east of Mariupol.

"Ukrainian citizens who do not pass through filtration (at least 10%) are deemed a ‘danger to the Russian regime’ and arrested", he said.

During their detention, Ukrainian citizens are interrogated, tortured, threatened with execution and forced to cooperate.