Russia Ramps Up Offensives In Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — An emboldened Russia has ramped up military offensives on two fronts in Ukraine. The renewed fighting has scattered Kyiv’s precious reserve troops and threatened to expand the fighting to a sixth Ukrainian region as each side seeks an advantage before the fighting season wanes in the autumn. Analysts and military commanders said Moscow aims to maximize its territorial gains before seriously considering a full ceasefire. Ukraine wants to slow the Russian advance for as long as possible and extract heavy losses. Kremlin forces are steadily gaining ground in the strategic eastern logistics hub of Pokrovsk, the capture of which would hand them a major battlefield victory and bring them closer to acquiring the entire Donetsk region.