Britain’s defense ministry says Russia is bombarding infrastructure targets to wear down Ukraine’s government and military as it prepares for a renewed assault on the country’s east. The ministry said in an intelligence update Thursday that “progressing offensive operations in eastern Ukraine is the main focus of Russian military forces.” Also read:Ukraine seeks arms from NATO as fight looms on eastern front It says Russia is targeting the “line of control” between Ukrainian-held areas in the Donbas and those held by Russia-supporting separatists with artillery and airstrikes. The Russian military is also targeting infrastructure in the Ukrainian interior “to degrade the ability of the Ukrainian military to resupply and increase pressure on the Ukrainian government.” Even so, the U.K. says that “Russian forces are likely to continue facing morale issues and shortages of supplies and personnel.”

Two days after an Indian student died in Russian shelling in Ukraine, another student was shot at in the war-torn country's capital Kyiv on Thursday, a senior Minister has said. "We heard reports that a student leaving Kyiv was shot. He was taken back into Kyiv and immediately taken to hospital," Indian Minister General VK Singh (retired) told the media at Poland's Rzeszow airport. General Singh is one of the four Ministers sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Ukraine's neighbouring countries to help evacuate not only distressed Indians but also stranded foreign nationals. Also read: Indian students in Ukraine in fear as Russian invasion grows On March 1, a 21-year-old Indian medical student was killed in Russian shelling when he had stepped out to buy food in the city of Kharkiv. "With profound sorrow, we confirm that an Indian student lost his life in shelling in Kharkiv this morning," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted on Tuesday. A day later, Russia vowed to investigate the death of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, the Indian medical student. "Russia will do everything it possibly can to ensure the safety of Indian citizens in the areas of intense conflict... and a proper investigation of this unfortunate incident," Russian Ambassador-designate Denis Alipov had told the local media in Delhi. Also read: One Indian student dead in shelling in Ukraine, says govt Last week, Prime Minister Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to immediately halt military action against Ukraine, underscoring the need for a diplomatic solution to the standoff. This was after Ukraine's envoy in Delhi sought Modi's intervention in ending the Russian offensive.

A day after an Indian student was killed in shelling in Ukraine's Kharkiv, New Delhi on Wednesday urged all its nationals to leave the city immediately even as Russia vowed to ensure the safety of Indians in the 'war-torn' country. The Indian Embassy in Ukraine tweeted to say that all its nationals must leave Kharkiv "for their safety and security" and "reach Pesochin, Babaye or Bezlyudovka latest by 6 pm local time, on foot if need be". Read:One Indian student dead in shelling in Ukraine, says govt Earlier in the day, Moscow's envoy in Delhi said that they would investigate the death of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, the 21-year-old Indian medical student who was killed in Russian shelling when he had stepped out to buy food in Kharkiv. "We want to express our sympathy to the family of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar and to the entire Indian nation over the tragedy," Russian Ambassador-designate Denis Alipov told the local media on Delhi. "Russia will do everything it possibly can to ensure the safety of Indian citizens in the areas of intense conflict... and a proper investigation of this unfortunate incident," he added. On Monday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered four of his senior Ministers to rush to Ukraine's neighbouring countries to help evacuate not only Indians but also foreign nationals stranded in that country. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry had said, "The Prime Minister pointed out that the visit of four senior ministers as his Special Envoys to various nations will energise the evacuation efforts. It is reflective of the priority the government attaches to this matter." "Guided by India's motto of the world being one family, the prime minister also stated that India will help people from neighbouring countries and developing countries who are stranded in Ukraine and may seek assistance." Last week, Prime Minister Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to immediately halt military action against Ukraine, underscoring the need for a diplomatic solution to the standoff.  This was after Ukraine's envoy in Delhi sought Modi's intervention in ending the Russian offensive. Read: Leave Kyiv immediately, India tells its nationals "Modi ji is one of the most powerful, respected world leaders. You have a privileged, strategic relation with Russia. If Modiji speaks to Putin we are hopeful he'll respond," Ukraine's Ambassador Igor Polikha told the local media on Thursday. An estimated 15,000 Indians are said to be currently in Ukraine.