Russia says Ukraine ‘first phase’ almost complete, despite not capturing any major city
- Its forces will now focus on ‘liberating’ Donbas, in a signal that Moscow may be switching to more limited objectives in face of fierce Ukrainian resistance
- A senior diplomatic source described the announcement as a face-saving move and possible prelude to a climbdown by Russia
In a scaled-back formulation of its war goals, Russia said on Friday that the first phase of its military operation was mostly complete and it would focus on completely “liberating” Ukraine’s breakaway eastern Donbas region.
The announcement appeared to indicate that Moscow may be switching to more limited objectives after running into fierce Ukrainian resistance in a month of war.
The defence ministry said Russian-backed separatists now controlled 93 per cent of Ukraine’s Luhansk region and 54 per cent of the Donetsk region. They jointly make up the Donbas.
“The main objectives of the first stage of the operation have generally been accomplished,” Sergei Rudskoi, head of the Russian General Staff’s Main Operational Directorate, said in a speech.
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“The combat potential of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been considerably reduced, which … makes it possible to focus our core efforts on achieving the main goal, the liberation of Donbas.”
A senior diplomatic source in Moscow described it as a face-saving move and possible prelude to a climbdown by Russia. Its forces have become bogged down and failed to take any major city since invading Ukraine from the north, east and south on February 24.