Russia bolsters forces, launches attacks ahead of expected southeastern Ukraine offensive

Russia is ramping up preparations for a major ground offensive in southeastern Ukraine, sending reinforcements and intensifying missile strikes on key infrastructure, Ukrainian intelligence officials warned Tuesday. Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of Ukraine's Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate, confirmed Moscow's plans to deploy approximately 20,000 additional troops into the region, bringing its total force in the conflict zone to around 680,000 soldiers. The offensive is reported