There has been a failed helicopter mission to get someone out of the steel works where the Ukrainian troops are seeking shelter after being surrounded by Russian forces.

A second attempt at evacuating some personal was attempted by a dry dock ship which has been captured..

The mystery is who are they trying to get out before the big battle begins.

Rumour initially was it is French senior officers, but more recently it is thought it is foreign mercenaries. The Russians believe it is senior Azov personnel which would show the power of the Azov commanders that they can call up these elaborate recur missions.

Regardless of the failed evacuation attempts , the largest battle is about to commence.

The battle for Donbas begins

This week may see the biggest ground battle in Europe since WWII

Update linked below on major events of late on the battle grounds.