Ukraine residents are braced for an increased offensive by Russian troops in the east, after a warning by President Volodymyr Zelensky. 

In his nightly address, the Ukrainian president warned that “Russian troops will move to even larger operations in the east of our state”. 

Moscow forces have continued shelling in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed (MoD).

Ukraine has repulsed several assaults on the region, leading to the destruction of Russian tanks, vehicles and artillery equipment. 

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Kyiv had agreed to the use of nine humanitarian corridors to help residents escape the east of the country amid continued attacks. 

“When people lack the courage to admit their mistakes, apologise, adapt to reality and learn, they turn into monsters. And when the world ignores it, the monsters decide that it is the world that has to adapt to them. Ukraine will stop all this,” Mr Zelensky said.

“The day will come when they will have to admit everything. Accept the truth.”

READ MORE: Russia's aggression targets all of Europe, says Zelensky

He again called on Western countries, including Germany, to provide more assistance to Ukraine. During talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Mr Zelensky said he discussed “how to strengthen sanctions against Russia and how to force Russia to seek peace”.

“I am glad to note that the German position has recently changed in favour of Ukraine. I consider it absolutely logical,” Mr Zelensky said.

Elsewhere on Sunday, the president of the European Commission said the questionnaire she handed Mr Zelensky during her visit to Kyiv represents a very important step forward.

Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union that Ukraine’s response will enable her to decide whether to recommend the nation as a candidate to join the European Union.

The process normally takes years, but she has said Ukraine’s application could take just weeks to consider. She said Ukrainians “belong to our European family, without any question”.

“Yesterday, somebody told me: ‘You know, when our soldiers are dying, I want them to know that their children will be free be and be part of the European Union,’” Ms von der Leyen said. “They are in an extraordinary situation, where we have to take unusual steps.”

“One thing is clear for me: After this war, when Ukraine will be rebuilt, when we support Ukraine in reconstructing this country, this will be accompanied by reforms. So, it is an extraordinary way to shape the country and to go down the path towards the European Union.”