The war is rapidly escalating throughout Ukraine

Kiev [Ukraine], February 17: Russia stepped up its offensive with multiple forces after the West pledged to increase military aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine received rockets again
On the morning of February 16, critical infrastructure in many regions across Ukraine suffered a new wave of missile attacks, according to Reuters. Ukrainian officials say air defenses in the south shot down eight Kalibr missiles launched from a Russian warship in the Black Sea. Meanwhile, many other missiles fell in the regions of northern, western and central Ukraine. In the western city of Lviv, a rocket hit an industrial area causing a fire.
CNN quoted the announcement of the Ukrainian Air Force as saying that Russia launched at least 32 missiles and the Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 16. In addition, Russia also sent drones to participate in the attack.
Russia did not immediately comment on this information. Before that, Moscow used to launch similar massive attacks every time Ukraine made a diplomatic attempt with the West or made a military advance.
Recently, defense ministers of NATO members met during a conference from February 14 to 15 in Brussels (Belgium) and agreed to increase the production of artillery shells to supply Ukraine. European Union High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs JosepBorrell called on countries to join Germany in sending tanks to Ukraine. In response, Britain and European countries pledged to provide military equipment, including tank parts and artillery shells, to Ukraine through an international fund. The first aid was worth more than $241 million.
Many escalating developments
The new missile attack comes amid Russia's recent push to advance in eastern Ukraine, while there are forecasts that Moscow will renew its military campaign after a year.
Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said the situation in the east was tense and difficult when Russian forces attacked 24 hours a day. The Russian side claimed to have broken two lines in Luhansk province and the Ukrainian side withdrew. However, provincial governor SerhiyHaidai said this statement was not true. Haidai acknowledged that Russia was sending heavy weapons and troops into Luhansk, but that Ukrainian forces continued to defend the eastern province.
In a press conference on February 15, President VolodymyrZelensky said that the situation in the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region was "the most difficult". The leader also mentioned Vuhledar and said that the general situation in the east is difficult, but the Ukrainian forces are still resilient and complete the task.
Meanwhile, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner's private military force, which participated in Russia's campaign in Ukraine in the past few days, also acknowledged difficulties when the number of troops decreased and "met very strong resistance". He predicted that Russia could only take control of Bakhmut by March or April, but progress depends on the amount of Ukrainian reserve troops brought in, according to AFP. Control of Bakhmut would provide a springboard for Russia to move towards two larger cities to the west, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, also in Donetsk.
In addition to developments in the east, the Ukrainian military recently said that Russian forces have increased artillery, rockets and missiles to attack in many other regions. In the northeastern province of Kharkiv, Russia is especially active in the town of Kupiansk, which Ukraine recaptured in a counter-offensive in September 2022. Notable escalation also occurred along the Kharkiv and Luhansk border, where the front line had been mostly fixed since the fall.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper