ROME, MARCH 25 – The first objective for Russian forces in Ukraine is to control the entire Donbass region in the east of the country. This was stated by the Moscow Ministry of Defense quoted by TASS. “The Russian armed forces will focus on the complete liberation of the Donbass,” reads a note from the ministry. The attacks to inflict casualties on Ukrainian forces in the besieged territories, the statement added, are aimed at preventing Kiev from sending reinforcements to the Donbass. According to the Russian general staff, the forces of Moscow and the militias of the self-proclaimed Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk currently have control of 94% of the territory of the Lugansk province and 54% of that of Donetsk. Before the invasion, the two so-called pro-Russian republics together controlled about a third of the entire territory of the two provinces. (HANDLE).
(HANDLE)
