Russia significantly steps up attacks in east Ukraine

Russian forces have significantly stepped up attacks in eastern Ukraine and are trying to break through Ukrainian defences near the town of Kreminna, a regional governor said on Thursday.
Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region, said Ukraine’s military were holding their ground near Kreminna, which Russian forces have held for months, but said they needed more weapons and ammunition to hold out.
Kreminna, which lies about 100 km (62 miles) northwest of the regional capital Luhansk, had a population of about 18,000 before Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24 last year.
Breaking through Ukrainian lines near Kreminna would take Russian forces a step closer to the much larger city of Kramatorsk.