Russia expands artillery offensive outside main frontline in Donbas industrial belt, say officials, while US advises Ukraine to hold back for more weapons and training
In other hand, The Metropolitan Opera in New York will mark the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a concert on 24 February to remember victims of the war.
Met music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin will conduct Mozart’s Requiem and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. General manager Peter Gelb says Requim will be played to remember innocent victims of the war, while the Fifth “ is in anticipation of the victory to come”.
The concert will be broadcast on radio. All tickets cost $50 and go on sale 1 February, and the Met is encouraging ticket buyers to make donations to Ukraine relief efforts.
Not to forget, Russia increased shelling of Ukraine’s eastern regions outside the main frontline in the Donbas industrial area, officials from the Zaporizhzhia and Sumy regions have said.
Senior US officials have meanwhile advised Ukraine to hold off on launching a major offensive against Russian forces until the latest supply of US weaponry is in place and training has been provided, a senior Biden administration official said.