Ukraine claims Russia preparing new attack in east

By Meiramgul Kussainova

KYIV, Ukraine (AA) - Ukraine claimed Wednesday that Russia is preparing a new attack on the eastern part of the country.

Russia plans to capture the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions and gain full control of Mariupol, according to the Ukrainian General Staff.

It said attacks by Russian forces, which lost 18,600 soldiers so far, in six different places were repelled and Osokarovka in southern Kherson province has been liberated.

The Russian attack on Ukraine, which started Feb. 24, has drawn international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,480 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 2,195 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 4.27 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.

* Writing by Ahmet Gencturk​​​​​​​