Russian forces pressed attacks on front-line cities in eastern Ukraine on Monday, while Ukrainian officials played down a report that Kyiv is amending some plans for a counteroffensive due to a leak of classified U.S. documents.
The Russians were pounding Ukrainian positions around besieged Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region, and other cities and towns, with air strikes and artillery barrages, Kyiv said.
"The enemy switched to so-called scorched earth tactics from Syria. It is destroying buildings and positions with air strikes and artillery fire," said Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, regarding Bakhmut.