Kiev says it’s aggressively pursuing its offensive against anti-government forces. Government troops have claimed control over a large part of Luhansk and nearly encircled Donetsk. They have also taken a key town that cuts the road between the two cities.
The advance comes as the civilian death toll is mounting from sustained artillery strikes, and the cities are slipping into a humanitarian disaster.
At least 52 deaths were reported Wednesday, along with 64 injured. Meanwhile, a Russian humanitarian convoy has moved into a customs zone near the border with Ukraine.
This comes after nearly a week of being stalled in the region. Ukrainian officials say the cargo must go through border control, which will not begin until Thursday.