The head of Russia’s military and his U.S. counterpart spoke by phone on Saturday, days after Russia launched a new offensive in eastern Ukraine, seeking to seize full control of two provinces that make up the industrial Donbas region..
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed the situation in Ukraine, including the importance of maintaining lines of communication, the Pentagon said in a statement, without giving details..
The call came as Russia pressed its new offensive in eastern Ukraine, with Moscow saying it had captured several towns and villages, but Kyiv denying any major breakthroughs..
Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what it calls a .
