In Ukraine’s east, local leaders urge evacuations as they brace for a Russian assault.

Civilians are fleeing the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk as Ukrainian officials and Western military analysts warn that Russia’s actions point to an impending escalation of fighting there.

Many people have been leaving since Russian forces started scaling down their offensive in the north to refocus on the east and south, according to Ukrainian officials and photos and videos posted online. That comes as images have emerged of bodies lying in the streets from areas in which Russian forces have pulled back.

Ukrainian officials say Russian troops have been massing in the Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions. Read more

@nytimes