Russian attacks on the west of Ukraine are an attempt to stop reinforcements moving east, British defence chiefs have said. Vladimir Putin’s forces have begun to refocus their attacks on the Donbas, after withdrawing from the north of Ukraine, which has been the scene of ongoing fighting for the last eight years. In an early morning intelligence briefing, the Ministry of Defence said: “Russian attacks on cities across Ukraine show their intent to try and disrupt the movement of Ukrainian reinforcements and weaponry to the east of the country.”