Russia Launches Large-Scale Donbas Offensive... Putin Says "Western Sanctions Have Failed" (Comprehensive)

Zelensky "Will Fight to the End," Emphasizes Determined Resistance
US Considers Designating Russia as Terror Sponsor... Additional Sanctions Expected
Putin Shows Russia's Economic Strength... "Achieved Record-High Surplus"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As Russia launches a large-scale offensive in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine, there are concerns about massive casualties. While Ukrainian authorities have expressed their determination to fight to the end, the United States is considering additional sanctions, including designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, showcased the resilience of the Russian economy.

According to AFP on the 18th (local time), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized his resolve again through his Telegram account, stating, "The long-prepared Russian offensive on Donbas has begun," and "No matter how many Russian troops rush in, we will fight to the end."

The Donbas region is already known to be the site of a large-scale advance by Russian forces. Serhiy Haidai, governor of Luhansk Province in Donbas, posted on his Facebook account that "an enormous number of Russian troops have entered the city of Kreminna in Luhansk Province, and our forces have lost control of the city," adding, "A massive offensive has begun, and evacuation is impossible."

AP News, citing a senior U.S. Department of Defense official, reported that Russian forces have concentrated approximately 65 to 76 combat units in the Donbas region and southern Ukraine. Considering that each Russian combat unit consists of about 800 to 1,000 soldiers, it is estimated that around 60,000 to 70,000 troops have been mobilized for the full-scale offensive on Donbas. Previously, Russian forces reportedly recruited elite troops from Syria and Chechnya, adding more than 40,000 soldiers.

Before the Donbas offensive, Russian forces also bombed the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. According to The New York Times (NYT), five Russian missiles struck Lviv that day, resulting in at least seven deaths in the city alone. Citizens who had fled and were returning to Kyiv were also stranded. Lviv is located in western Ukraine near the Polish border, a region where Western military aid is concentrated.

U.S. President Joe Biden plans to discuss response measures via video conference with allies and partners. CNN, citing a senior U.S. official, reported, "The U.S. State Department is reviewing all available means to hold Russia accountable, including the possibility of designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism." Currently, the countries designated by the U.S. as state sponsors of terrorism are North Korea, Cuba, Iran, and Syria.

Despite indications of additional U.S. sanctions, President Putin instead boasted that Russia recorded its largest-ever surplus, demonstrating resilience. According to Bloomberg, in a televised national address, Putin said, "Western sanctions have completely failed," and "Russia's current account surplus in the first quarter of this year reached $58 billion, a record high." He claimed, "Sanctions are causing greater chaos in the West than in Russia," adding, "Western countries are suffering from high inflation, unemployment, weakened economic momentum, and declining living standards."

However, Putin acknowledged the recent sharp rise in prices and pledged to take measures. He emphasized, "Consumer prices have risen 17.5% year-on-year," and "I have instructed the government to provide household support." Bloomberg noted that the inflation rate Putin cited far exceeds the Russian central bank's target of 4%, suggesting that Western sanctions have significantly worsened the Russian economy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.