Updates on Russia Ukraine War News: Massive air and artillery strikes in Donbas ahead of EU summit on Ukraine’s candidacy

Russia has launched fresh rocket attacks on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv in recent days, indicating a possible shift in tactics by Moscow. Ukraine said at least 20 people were killed on Tuesday and Wednesday in the country’s second-largest city, which lies near the Russian border. Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych in a video address said in that the aim of the strikes is to “terrorise the population” of the city. He also said the attacks are an attempt by Russia to divert Ukrainian troops from the key Donbas region where massive air and artillery strikes are in progress.

 

Leaders attending the upcoming G7 and Nato summits in Europe will discuss new proposals to pressure Russia amid its ongoing assault on Ukraine. US President Joe Biden will also attend the G7 summit in the German region of Bavaria this weekend, along with the leaders of UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

 

European leaders, meanwhile will formally set Ukraine on the long road to EU membership at a summit in Brussels on Thursday. Though mainly symbolic, the move will help lift national morale at a very difficult time in a four-month conflict.