A short respite came with the countrys independence, but then, in 2014, Vladimir Putins aggressions began in Crimea, and carried on afterward in the Donbas. The struggle for identity is further complicated by the fact that many Ukrainians grew up in Russian-speaking households. But Putins invasion has accelerated a growing sense of a need to reassert a Ukrainian identity once and for all. "The sooner that we're able to continue to provide the levels of support that we have," he said, "the better, not only for Ukraine, but for the international community." However, outside these pro-government circles, the latest actions by the Russian military have considerably less support. Pro-government circles echo Putins line, but criticism of the militarys action grows among public figures and Russians.

• While dissenting voices to Putins invasion are minimised in Russia, the scale and the intensity of the feeling of support for Ukraine means that the opposition cannot be entirely silenced by the Kremlin.
• OK, I confess I didn't know who the woman was, but her thoughts didn't exactly seem preoccupied by a possible invasion on her country.
• International scientists started collaborating with Russian scientists to investigate how permafrost was changing.
• You dont know when your friends and family will be taken away for mobilisation.
• Spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeated claims made by the regions Moscow-appointed governor that Ukraine was responsible for the attack, which wounded 20 others.

But outcries of anger were not only felt on the streets of Moscow, where the Guardian did not encounter support for the military assault. A fresh poll by the independent Levada Center released on Thursday showed that only 45% of Russians stood in favour of the recognition move that preceded Thursday mornings dramatic events. The Ukrainian administrator said the centre, which aims to promote the language, traditions and identity of a country Vladimir Putin denied the legitimacy of as a modern state in his speech on Monday, would be shut for the coming period. The mood in Moscow was dark and sombre hours after Putin had announced that he was launching a broad military offensive targeting Ukraine. Police had made at least 1,702 arrest in 53 Russian cities as of Thursday evening, according to the OVD-Info monitor, as they cracked down on the unsanctioned protests. Most of the arrests were made in Moscow and St Petersburg, where the crowds were largest.

Russia has the advantage, and Ukraine needs to dig in if it's going to fend off the enemy's war machine, conflict experts say

It also geolocated combat clashes to the north-west of Bakhmut, west of Donetsk city and south of Robotyne. Russian forceshave advanced near the heavily-contested eastern town of Avdiivka, currently held by Ukraine, according to reports. Thank you for following The Telegraphs live coverage of the war in Ukraine. The irredentist claims to the regions have long been made by Ukrainian nationalists.