According to a senior general, Russia is aiming for full control of the entire Donbas in eastern and southern Ukraine. Since the beginning of the Russian army’s “second phase of the special operation” in Ukraine, “one of its tasks has been to gain full control over Donbas and southern Ukraine,” Major General Rustam Minnekayev was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. . According to Kiev, fighting has intensified in several places in eastern Ukraine.
Philip Pfleger (text), Günther Rosenberger (image), Carina Kainz (video) Mario Palaschke (editing), all ORF.at
According to Minnekayev, a “land connection” with the annexed Crimea peninsula could be created. “Control of southern Ukraine is another way to enter Transnistria, where the facts of discrimination against Russian-speaking residents are also observed. Apparently, we are now fighting the entire world, as it was during the Great Patriotic War. Europe, the whole world was against us.” And now it is happening, said the deputy commander of the Central Military District of Russia. “They never liked Russia,” he added.
Russian units have intensified fighting along the entire front line in the Donetsk region, the Ukrainian general staff said today. In 24 hours, Russia occupied 42 cities in the eastern Donetsk region, said an aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to information from Kiev, there were deaths and injuries from shelling in the east and south.
The Russian army is still trying to advance around the town of Rubishne in the Luhansk region, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. Fighting also continued around the town of Popasna. According to Ukrainian information, this is already partially controlled by Russian troops. There were also heavy fights around Marjinka, as in recent days. Two people died after a missile hit a car in the Kharkiv region, Governor Oleh Synyehubov said last night.
3,500 seats occupied by Russia
According to Kiev, Russian units currently control more than 3,500 sites across Ukraine. There are combat operations in 11,550 locations across the country, said Zelenskyy’s adviser Olena Simonenko. The Ukrainian side had previously said that 80% of Donetsk’s neighboring Luhansk region, which also borders Russia, is now under Russian control.
Mariupol mayor calls for evacuation
Meanwhile, Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko is again calling for the entire civilian population to be allowed to leave the besieged port city in southern Ukraine. Only one thing is needed: complete evacuation. About 100,000 people are still in the city, he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the city on the Sea of Azov is now under full Russian control. The United States disagrees, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said overnight that Mariupol continues to resist Russian troops.
Debate: How is war changing the world?
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been at war in Ukraine for several weeks now, and there is no end in sight. Solidarity with Ukraine unites Europe and the US. Will solidarity last in the EU? Does Austria have to decide between neutrality and NATO in the long run? And will China side with Russia?
Discuss with debate.ORF.at!