The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday that the first phase of the special military operation in Ukraine has been completed and the mission will now focus on liberating the Donbass region, where the self-proclaimed republics of Lonsark and Donestk are located.
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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a video conference consultation: “In general, the tasks of the first phase of the operation have been accomplished.”
In this regard, Shoigu added: “The potential of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been significantly reduced, which makes it possible to focus attention and forces on the main task: the liberation of Donbass.”
в вступистельное слово министра обороны Российской федерации генерала армии сергея шойгу на тематическом селекторном совещании ➡ https://t.co/l6j4gtkq3c pic.twitter.com/eXwv8dOidh
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia)
March 29, 2022
The head of the Russian Armed Forces noted that since the start of the military operation, around 123 planes, 74 helicopters, 311 drones, as well as 1,738 Ukrainian tanks have been shot down.
Similarly, the Russian minister reported that 181 rocket launchers, 726 mobile artillery pieces, 1,592 military armored vehicles were eliminated from Kyiv and the capture of 600 mercenaries.
Given the assessment of these figures, Shoigú stated that the Ukrainian army suffered irreversible damage after the air and anti-aircraft defenses were defeated and the naval forces were considered non-existent.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has reiterated on several occasions that the military actions carried out were not aimed at civilian facilities, but were aimed at eliminating specific war targets.