Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia is trying to ramp up pressure on Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donbas region.
In his nightly video address on Saturday evening he said they are “gathering additional forces for new attacks there” but he had a defiant message which he addressed directly to Russian soldiers.
“It is better for you to survive in Russia than to perish on our soil,” he said.
“We know that the Russian command is preparing for new big losses. In those units, whose personnel was weakened in March-April, new people are being recruited with little motivation, little combat experience,” he said.
“Every Russian soldier can save his own life,” he said.
Zelensky said Ukraine was doing “everything” to ensure a mission is carried out to evacuate hundreds of stranded civilians and fighters from the southern city of Mariupol.
He said he Ukraine was working with partners to increase sanctions on Moscow and expects to see a decision on further oil restrictions “in the near future”.
He said the destroyed runway at Odesa airport would be rebuilt and pledged that Russian-occupied cities, including Kherson, Melitopol and Berdyansk would be liberated.