Ukraine’s president says Russia has launched a major new offensive in the east of the country.

“Russian troops have begun the battle for Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“A considerable part of the entire Russian army is now focused on this offensive,” he added.

He added: “No matter how many Russian troops are pushed there, we will fight. We will defend ourselves. “We will do it every day.”

Otherwise, Russian forces have been repositioned and reinforced for several weeks after being thwarted in their attempt to take the capital Kiev.

The Kremlin says it wants to “liberate” the region and pro-Russian separatist fighters have been fighting the Ukrainian army in the area for several years.

The president’s announcement followed today’s statements by some senior officials that a new phase of the war had begun.

Presidential Cabinet Chief Andriy Yermak wrote in the Telegram messaging app that “the second phase of the war has begun”, but urged people to remain firm.

“Believe in our army, it is very strong,” he added.