Ukraine Forces Dig In For Battle In The East

Ukrainian forces dug in and Russia's military lined up more firepower yesterday ahead of an expected showdown in eastern Ukraine that could become a decisive period in a war that has flattened cities, killed untold thousands and isolated Moscow economically and politically.

Experts say a full-scale offensive in the east could start within days, though questions remained about the ability of Russia's depleted and demoralised forces to conquer much ground after Ukraine's inspired defenders repelled their push to capture the capital, Kyiv.

The Ministry of Defence reported on Sunday that Russia's armed forces were trying to compensate for mounting casualties by boosting troop numbers with personnel who had been discharged from service since 2012.

Ukraine has the bulk of its military forces in the east: estimates vary, but they are believed to number in the tens of thousands.

Russia-backed separatists have fought Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine since 2014 and control parts of the Donbas, a mostly Russian-speaking, industrial region.