Russia steps up offensive in eastern Ukraine

Russian forces stepped up their offensive in the east of Ukraine on Thursday as US President Joe Biden planned a new $20 billion package of weapons and ammunition for Kyiv. "The enemy is increasing the pace of the offensive operation. The Russian occupiers are exerting intense fire in almost all directions," Ukraine's military general staff said.

It identified Russia's main attack as near the towns of Slobozhanske and Donets, along a strategic frontline highway linking Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv with the Russian-occupied city of Izyum.

The Kharkiv regional governor said Russian forces were ratcheting up attacks from Izyum, but Ukrainian troops were holding their ground. Kharkiv regional prosecutors said two civilians were killed and seven wounded in Russian shelling of the village of Pokotilovka.

Responding to repeated Ukrainian pleas to Western leaders for supplies of heavier weaponry and equipment, Biden asked the US Congress for $33 billion to support Kyiv, a massive jump in funding that includes over $20 billion for weapons and ammunition and other military aid.

The package, also entailing $8.5 billion in direct economic assistance and $3 billion in humanitarian and food security aid, forms part of US efforts to isolate and punish Russia for its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, which has flattened cities and forced more than 5 million people to flee abroad.

Washington hopes Ukrainian forces can repel Russia's assault on the east and weaken its military so that it can no longer menace neighbors. After being beaten back in efforts to capture the capital Kyiv in the north, Russia has shifted forces eastward to capture the Donbas provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk in a battle that may prove a decisive turning point in the war.