Russia is attacking Ukraine’s Donbas. Here’s how the war may change

Russia has begun its anticipated offensive of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region in an attempt to secure a much-desired victory. Why is it targeting Donbas though?

Russia has started its long-awaited offensive in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region in an effort to cut off the territory and finally obtain a battlefield victory.

In the lead-up to Monday’s attack, Russian forces were regrouping in the east after failing to capture a single major Ukrainian city when it began a widespread invasion on Feb. 24.

Now, both sides say the war has entered a new phase in a region that has been plagued by conflict for eight years between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces.

Here’s what you need to know:

The Donbas region, which consists of Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, is located in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border.

Russian forces are now attacking Donbas with troops approaching from several directions, according to an intelligence briefing published by Britain’s defence ministry on Tuesday.

In the first reported success of Russia’s new assault, Ukraine said the Russians had seized Kreminna, a front line town of 18,000 people in Luhansk, one of the two Donbas provinces.

Ukrainian media reported explosions along the front lines in the Donetsk region overnight, with shelling taking place in nearby Marinka, Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.