Escalating Tensions: Russia and Ukraine Exchange Strikes

Ukraine has launched further strikes on Russian forces in Luhansk, targeting command and control centres ahead of its expected counteroffensive. The strikes reportedly used British-supplied Storm Shadow long-range missiles, causing damage to an administrative building and injuring the Luhansk “people’s republic” interior minister. The provision of these missiles makes Luhansk vulnerable, along with Russian bases and arms depots stationed away from the fighting. Ukrainian commanders have been carrying out tactical “shaping” operations across a 900-mile frontline, systematically destroying enemy artillery systems and armoured vehicles. The apparent plan is to degrade Russia’s battlefield potential before a general counteroffensive expected this summer.