Ukraine has announced that it is almost ready to launch a massive ground assault to retake occupied land from Russia, following the first large-scale air strikes in almost two months. The war between Ukraine and Russia has reached a crucial juncture after months of fighting. The Kyiv government plans to counterattack using hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles from the West. It aims to drive Russia out of almost one-fifth of Ukraine that it claims to have annexed.
The Ukrainian Defense Minister, Oleskii Reznikov, announced that Ukraine was “a high percentage ready” and would act as soon as there was “God’s will, the weather, and a decision by commanders.” The missile attacks that Russia launched overnight on cities while people slept killed at least 23 civilians, including several children. The targets of the Russian missile attacks were locations of Ukrainian reserve troops, according to Moscow.
Russia claimed to have successfully struck these locations, preventing them from reaching the front. The Ukrainian military, however, said it had shot down 21 out of 23 cruise missiles fired by Russia. Ukraine accused Russia of targeting civilians and called it a war crime. The war has escalated to the point where Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to offer Russian citizenship to people living in parts of Ukraine under Moscow’s control. Those who decline or fail to legalize their status may be deported.