Ukrainian war, Russia: “Donbass liberation is main objective”

“The main objectives of the first phase of the operation have, in general, been achieved”. This was stated by the commander of the operations directorate of the Russian general staff, General Sergei Rudskoy, quoted by the Interfax news agency, after a month of fighting in the war between Russia and Ukraine. “The combat potential of the Ukrainian armed forces has been considerably reduced. This makes it possible to focus on the crucial efforts to achieve the main goal, namely the liberation of the Donbass,” he added. “Militia units of the Luhansk People’s Republic have 93 percent of the territory of the region freed. Now fighting is taking place in the vicinity of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. The militias of the Donetsk People’s Republic have control of 54 percent of the territory. The liberation of the city of Mariupol continues “, added the general stressing that “units of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, together with the militias of the Republics, are carrying out an offensive to liberate the inhabited areas west of Donetsk”. The general, who for the first time mentioned the target of the Russian forces in Ukraine, wanted to specify that “the attack on the Ukrainian cities besieged by the Russians is not completely excluded, even if” ours forces and our equipment will focus on the important element, the complete liberation of the Donbass, in due course, following the achievement of a series of objectives by specific units. ” In a briefing, Rudskoy assured that “initially we did not intend to attack the cities, to avoid destruction and minimize casualties between military and civilians”. Instead, it effectively confirms the change in Moscow’s objectives after the losses have exceeded a certain threshold. (the official version that announced today speaks of 1,351 soldiers killed and 3,825 wounded). “We had two options. The first was to limit the actions only to the territory of the People’s Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk, within the administrative boundaries of the regions. In this case, however, the Ukrainians could have continually replenished their forces. So, it was the second option was chosen, which contemplates actions on the entire territory of Ukraine, with interventions for its demilitarization and denazification “. “The progress of the operation confirmed that this decision was the right one. It was taken by the staff in strict compliance with the approved plan”, said the general, claiming the almost complete destruction of the Ukrainian air and air defense forces. and the total destruction of the navy. “The demilitarization of Ukraine has been achieved both with precision weapons against military structures and bases, airfields, command posts, military arsenals and warehouses, and with the military crushing enemy opposition groups.” “Russia concluded the military, citing the proposal made” by some NATO countries “- it will immediately respond to any attempt to close the airspace over Ukraine”.