Beginning of the second phase of the war

” Beginning of the second phase of the war ”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelinsky on Monday evening (April 18th) confirmed the start of a major Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. “Russian forces have begun the battle of Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time,” he said in a video telegram.
Ukrainian sources reported on Tuesday that Russian forces had launched a large-scale offensive along the front line in eastern Ukraine and shelled Marinka, Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.
There were also explosions in northeastern, southern and southeastern Ukraine, and “air strikes” sounded in many cities.
Officials in Ukraine say three people have been killed and 15 wounded in Russian attacks on the city of Kharkiv on Monday. The governor of Kharkiv accused Russia of killing civilians, saying that areas “near children’s playgrounds and humanitarian aid centers” had also been targeted by Russia.
Russia has repeatedly denied killing civilians, accusing Ukraine of staging them.