Ukraine crisis: Car blown up in the centre of Donetsk

According to the Russian-backed separatist authorities in eastern Ukraine, a car was blown up near their government building in the city center of Donetsk on Friday, according to the TASS news agency. According to Russia's Interfax news agency, no one was injured in the event. According to Russia's RIA news agency, a big explosion occurred.

According to Michael Carpenter, the permanent US representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Russia currently has between 169,000 and 190,000 personnel in and near Ukraine, up from around 100,000 on January 30. On Saturday, Russia announced additional maneuvers involving "strategic forces," with Putin reportedly overseeing the activities. According to Kyiv, the number of Russian troops stationed surrounding Ukraine has risen to 149,000.

The drills will "involve forces and hardware belonging to the Aerospace Forces, the Southern Military District, the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern Fleet, and the Black Sea Fleet," according to the ministry, according to the Guardian.

Vladimir Putin deployed a high-ranking official to the border region and pledged a payout of 10,000 roubles (£95) to those who arrived.

Ukrainian officials, on the other hand, stated that no attack was planned and that, in reality, Russia-backed forces have increased their fire across the frontlines dramatically in recent days.

Meanwhile, shelling in Ukraine on Thursday reignited Western worries of a Russian invasion, with US Vice President Joe Biden claiming that Moscow is creating a pretext to justify a military war, and the Kremlin expelling an American envoy. Deputy Chief of Mission Bart Gorman of the United States was expelled by Russia, although a senior State Department source said he left last week. As part of a US "visa war," Moscow cited the expulsion of a senior official in Washington, who was compelled to leave before a successor could be identified. The US stated it would retaliate against the "unprovoked" move. Firefights broke out early in the morning between Kyiv's forces and pro-Russian separatists. who have been at odds for years and whose ceasefire has been repeatedly breached — has sparked concern, with Western countries warning that an incursion might occur at any time.

Humanitarian monitors were assessing the damage in Vrubivka on Friday afternoon and assisting locals with repairs, one of many communities on the Ukrainian side of the border that has suffered a spike in violence in the past two days. On Thursday, an incoming artillery fire struck the village, causing damage to 12 buildings for the first time since August 2018.

Anatoly Romanenko, 77, whose roof was destroyed in the attacks, said, "I just hope there isn’t going to be any more of this. I can’t sleep at night. My arms and legs are shaking, and it’s scary,”