Russian forces intensify attacks in Luhansk ahead of anticipated offensive

Russian forces stepped up shelling and attacks in eastern Ukraine Wednesday before an anticipated new offensive, but Ukrainian officials said Kyiv’s troops were still holding firm.

Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai said enemy soldiers were trying to capture the city of Kreminna and the nearby village of Bilohorivka.

“We are repulsing all their attempts to break through,” Haidai said in televised remarks. “The enemy is having no success.”

The Russian-installed leader of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, Leonid Pasechnik, described the situation around Kreminna as “very difficult” because Ukraine was bringing in more troops in preparation for a counterattack, reported the Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat called for more missiles to help push back the Russian forces.