The conflict in Ukraine has reached a critical turning point, as Kyiv announces its readiness to launch a massive ground assault to reclaim occupied territories. This follows a series of devastating Russian air strikes that claimed the lives of at least 23 people, marking the first large-scale aerial assault in nearly two months.

Russia's winter offensive in Ukraine saw limited success, with its forces failing to make significant territorial gains, according to multiple reports. This has provided Kyiv with the opportunity to regroup and strategize, preparing a large-scale counter-offensive to retake land currently under Russian control. In anticipation of this move, the West has supplied Ukraine with hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles, bolstering their forces for the imminent confrontation.

In an attempt to hinder Ukraine's plans, Russia says it carried out high-precision missile strikes targeting Ukrainian army reserve units. The goal of these strikes was to prevent  Ukraine's forces from reaching the frontlines and assisting in the counter-offensive. However, the attacks have had devastating consequences for civilians, with several children among the victims as residential areas were hit, according to Ukrainian reports.

The toll of the conflict continues to rise, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. In a separate incident, the Russian-installed mayor of Donetsk reported that seven people were killed when Ukrainian shelling struck a minibus.

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