Thread by @ChristopherJM

A major Russian offensive has begun in the Donbas. Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of @NSDC_ua: "This morning, an active phase of the Russian offensive began almost along the entire frontline [in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv regions]. The occupiers tried to break through our defenses."

.@GeneralStaffUA also reported "signs of the beginning of an offensive operation in the Eastern Operational Zone." It said Russian forces intensified attacks near Izyum & Sloviansk, as well as around Severodonetsk & Popasna, & in the direction of Kurakhove & Zaporizhzhia areas.

I just spoke to a Ukrainian commander on the frontline near Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, who said their positions are being hit by Russian airstrikes and heavy artillery 14 hours a day. They are "desperate" for more help, he said, outgunned, and running low on ammunition.

More from NSDC's Danilov: "Our military is defending, we are not surrendering our territories."

"The Russian military was tasked to occupy the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts by Easter," he said, referring to Orthodox Easter on April 26, "as a gift to its Fuhrer."

Danilov continued: "Residents of frontline areas or areas where hostilities are taking place need to be evacuated."

He said: "It's a mistake to believe that we have already won the war," in an apparent reference to Ukrainian forces pushing back Russian forces around Kyiv.

"Putin hasn't canceled the task of destroying Ukraine as a state and destroying our political leadership," Danilov added during a national telethon. "The war continues and will be difficult, much remains to be done to ensure our victory."

Danilov said Ukraine's NSDC has not confirmed the presence of Russian oligarch and Wagner PMC boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in the eastern Luhansk region. Photos of Prigozhin with nationalist MP Vitaly Milonov circulated on social media over the past day.

Now President Zelensky, in a new public address, says Russia has begun the battle for the Donbas and concentrated a large part of its army there for an all-out offensive in eastern Ukraine.

A Ukrainian army lieutenant on the frontline in Donetsk region tells me he and his soldiers are being hit as we speak with Russian howitzers, mortars, and MLRS "at the same time." They endured a similar bombardment earlier today "plus two Su-25... and our day became hell."