With the capture of Luhansk by Russian forces, the war in Ukraine enters a new phase, the third since the invasion on February 24th, and perhaps the longest and most deadly. For Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky and his commanders, it is still a fight for survival. A new defensive line is being built across the west of Donbas, based on the hub of Kramartosk and Slovyansk.
The Ukrainians have suffered – with well over 20,000 soldiers killed and a quarter of the population at least forced to leave home. On the battle front the Russians are battering their way forward by the sheer quantity as much as quality in their artillery and forces.
