(Reuters) -Russian forces are waging a non-stop offensive along almost the entire front line in Ukraine and have the “strategic initiative”, the chief of Russia’s general staff said on Saturday.

“The combined group of troops continue a non-stop offensive along almost the entire front line,” General Valery Gerasimov told his deputies in an address published by the Defence Ministry. “At present, the strategic initiative lies entirely with Russian forces.”

Russia has stepped up airstrikes on Ukrainian towns and cities far behind the front lines this summer and has continued a grinding offensive across much of the east, trying to gain more territory in its 3-1/2-year-old war in Ukraine.

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, on Thursday killed at least 23 people and wounded 38, Ukraini

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