The Calm Before the Storm: Ukraine is Massing Army Near Donetsk

"We see the conditions on the ground in Donbass. There are many obstacles such as bodies of water and dams. We think that our brigades will have to build dams over the course of the operation. We were practicing offensive tactics, as well as direct and indirect fire from closed positions. I'm sure we'll be able to fulfill our task to help our units at the frontline".

— Let's discuss what's happening in Donbass. Today, a member of the State Duma said that Ukrainian forces are gathering in the south and preparing to attack. There is a lot of disturbing news. Let's hear it from a person who's currently in Donbass our correspondent Sergey Arsenichev.

Hello, Sergey. How accurate is this disturbing news? Is Ukraine really preparing a large-scale offensive in the south? And if that's true, how will Donbass defend its borders?

 

Sergey Arsenichev, VGTRK: Not a day goes by here without disturbing news. Today, the southern territories near Mariupol were attacked. The Ukrainian forces used mortars against the two villages of Sakhanka and Kominternovo firing 26 shells. The attack was registered by the Joint Center of Ceasefire Coordination and Control. Tomorrow, yet another mission of the OSCE will go there to see the damage with their own eyes. The DNR and LNR leaders have stated multiple times that Ukraine has pulled a lot of infantry and armor to the frontline. 30 battalions are currently stationed around the border of the DPR with tens of thousands of soldiers, more than 200 tanks, 380 artillery pieces, and 90 multiple-launch rocket systems. It's enough to raze Donetsk and the surrounding area to the ground with a single intensive burst of fire at the right time.

Unfortunately, there's no more talk about the Minsk Protocol. Clashes happen every day. Every day, shells and other projectiles hit the houses of civilians. People are suffering in this bloodshed. There hasn't been a single day without an attack. According to the Minsk Protocol, heavy weaponry, such as howitzers, tanks, and artillery, isn't allowed within 44 miles of the line of contact. Right now, they are 12 miles from the line. We came to that conclusion after watching the footage that was recently acquired by DNR intelligence by a Ukrainian drone. It was filmed over the village of Konstyantynovka which is 12 miles away from Donetsk and can be directly targeted by artillery. If we look closer, we can see that the hardware isn't just standing there. They've assumed combat positions and are ready to fire. In some areas, the distance between the sides is 300 — 400 yards, but the Ukrainian soldiers still dare to use mortars, inevitably striking residential areas.

One can be sure that Ukrainian Army has enough forces and resources more than enough to start a full-scale war any minute. However, DNR and LNR are ready to repel any attack. Their armed forces are on high alert.