Ukraine’s deputy defense minister says, the combat in Donbas has reached a breaking point, with Russian forces storming Ukrainian positions in many regions at the same time.

The Russians targeted more than 40 communities in their quest to conquer the strategically important towns of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, as of report.

“As of today, the aggressor conducts intensified fire along the whole line of contact and the positions of our forces in the Donetsk operational region. The enemy uses tactical rocket systems, aviation and artillery,” Hanna Maliar says.

“The situation is difficult and there are signs of escalation. The enemy has used all resources to capture our territory and surround our forces. The fighting has reached maximum intensity. The enemy attacks our positions at different points simultaneously. We are in for a very difficult and long stage of the struggle.”