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Zelenskiy urges speedy help from allies as Russia pounds Ukraine's east Ukraine urged allies to speed up the pace of military help as NATO defence ministers prepared to meet for a second day on Wednesday and Russia bombarded the eastern front line in what appeared to be the early salvoes of a new offensive. Much of Russia's artillery fire was focused on Bakhmut, a bombed-out city in Donetsk province and a principal target for President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian troops there have fortified positions in anticipation of street fighting. Bakhmut's capture would provide a stepping stone for Russia to advance on two bigger Donetsk cities, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, and give Moscow momentum after months of battlefield setbacks following its invasion last February. read more