Live updates | Ukraine: Russia is escalating Donbas assault

A Ukrainian official says Russian forces are stepping up their bombardment of the Donbas area

KRAMATORSK, Ukraine - A Ukrainian official says Russian forces are stepping up their bombardment of the Donbas area.

Pavlo Kyrylenko told The Associated Press on Monday in Kramatorsk that heavy fighting was continuing near the region of Luhansk and that the front line was under continuous shelling.

Kramatorsk and neighboring Sloviansk are the largest cities in the parts of Donetsk region not held by Russian forces currently.

Kyrylenko told The Associated Press in Kramatorsk that the "situation is difficult. The front line is under shelling at all times.”