Russian Military Operations in Ukraine Update: Battle of Donbas “Begins” Says Pentagon

Update: Russian Military Operations in Ukraine – April 23, 2022

– Pentagon admits a “new” major offensive is unfolding in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region;
– US continues to send heavy weapons including 72 155mm howitzers and 144,000 rounds;
– US is also sending 121 “Phoenix Ghost” drones but is not disclosing its function;
– Mariupol city has been fully secured by Russian forces;
– Russian President Vladimir Putin cancels storming of Azovstal steel plant where last Ukrainian holdouts remain;

References:

US Department of Defense – Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing APRIL 21, 2022 (includes video of briefing):
https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcri…

TASS – Russian troops destroy 520 drones, 2,448 tanks in Ukraine operation — top brass (April 22, 2022):
https://tass.com/defense/1441485

Fortune – Meet the Phoenix Ghost, a secretive new drone the U.S. fast-tracked for delivery to Ukraine:
https://fortune.com/2022/04/22/phoeni…

AEVEX Aerospace – homepage:
https://aevex.com/

Bloomberg – Transcript: Vladimir Putin’s Televised Address on Ukraine (February 24, 2022):
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl…

TASS – Putin orders to cancel Azovstal steel plant storming in Mariupol and block industrial zone:
https://tass.com/politics/1440943?utm…

TASS – Russian forces take Azovstal plant administration building in Mariupol — Kadyrov: https://tass.com/defense/1441347

TASS – Nationalists blocked at Azovstal not allowed to surrender – Kadyrov:
https://tass.com/politics/1441387