Ukraine claims Russia is beefing up its military forces

The Ukrainian military says Russia is beefing up its forces and trying to probe Ukrainian defenses.

The Ukrainian military command says Russian troops have continued attempts to break Ukrainian defenses near Izyum, southeast of Kharkiv. It reports that Russia is sending reinforcements to Izyum while continuing the shelling of Kharkiv.

The military adds that the Russians also continue their attempts to take control of Mariupol, the Sea of Azov port that has been besieged by Russian forces for nearly six weeks.

After Russia’s attempt to quickly capture Kyiv and other big cities in northeastern Ukraine failed, Ukrainian and Western officials expect Moscow to launch a new offensive in eastern Ukraine, where Russia-backed separatists have fought Ukrainian forces for eight years.