Some experts say it may be the largest tank battle in Europe since the end of World War II. According to others, it is once again approaching the biggest battle in the world in the 21st century. A new phase of the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on Monday: the Battle of Donbas. After the Russians did not conquer Kyiv and withdrew from the north of the country, they are focusing on about 450 kilometers long front in the east and south of Ukraine. The main goal is to occupy the entire Luhansk and Donetsk regions and encircle the Ukrainian troops. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also confirmed the “next phase of the operation”, which aims to “fully liberate” the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. So far, the new offensive is manifested mainly by an increase in artillery shelling of Ukrainians. “The intensity of the fighting is higher. However, I do not yet see any sign of a massive attack by concentrated forces. It is possible to agree that the offensive has already begun, even though it is still only a preparatory phase, “says Pavel Macko, a retired Slovak general and former highest-ranking Slovak in NATO’s military structures. So far, according to him, it doesn’t look like one big battle like Kursk. “Rather, it will be an attempt to break through on several sections of the front and then an attempt to encircle the Ukrainian forces on the eastern tip towards the occupied part of the Donbas. I don’t think it will be one big battle, rather it will be a series of smaller confrontations. But when the opportunity opens up, a bigger maneuver can occur, “says Macko. Map of Russian-occupied areas and places where fighting has taken place in the last 24 hours (in a circle). Source – Institute for the Study of War How many troops have Russians here The US Department of Defense on Monday night released its estimates, how strong Russia managed to prepare for the Battle of the Donbas. According to them, in this region and in the southeast of Ukraine available This article is the exclusive content for subscribers of the Diary N. Are you a subscriber?