Russian push days before 'peace' talks

Attack ahead of summit with US

- BY CHRIS HUGHES Defence and Security Editor

RUSSIA has launched a major offensive on Ukraine's eastern front days before the Kremlin and the US meet at what is billed as a peace summit.

Ukraine has deployed elite troops from its National Guard, the 1st Azov Corps, to plug defences at Pokrovsk in Donetsk where Moscow is concentrating its attack.

There are fears that at the summit in Alaska, Russia's leader Vladimir Putin will try to hoodwink US President Donald Trump into believing Ukraine does not want a peace deal.

Ukraine’ president Volodymyr Zelensky said: “[Putin] is definitely not preparing for a ceasefire or an end to the war.