Photo: SERGEI SUPINSKY / AFP / Getty Images
Russia seemed to admit that it has been defeated in its bid to seize kyiv after the Kremlin said on Friday that it will now only focus on in “liberating” the separatist regions pro-Moscow.
Moscow signaled it was winding down its invasion of Ukraine to focus on territory claimed by Russian-backed separatists, as fierce resistance returns to occupy cities up to 24 miles east of the capital.
“The main tasks of the first stage of the operation have been completed,” said Sergei Rudskoi , chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of Russia’s armed forces. That was a really strange plan. https://t.co/GduubK2eqe—KyivPost (@KyivPost) March 21, 2022
The Russian army said that the first phase of its military campaign was over and now the troops were will focus on the complete “liberation” of the eastern Donbas region of the country.
But Ukrainian supporters will remain wary of Russian rhetoric, and the The Kremlin will play down its so-called “special operation” as a familiar tactic to try to sow false confidence before a new attack.
Sergei Rudskoi, head of the State Main Operational Directorate Major General of the Russian armed forces said on Friday: “The main tasks of the first stage of the operation have been completed.
“ The combat potential of the Ukrainian armed forces has been significantly reduced, which allows us, I emphasize once again, to concentrate our main efforts on achieving the main goal: the liberation of Donbas
“.
He claimed that Russian forces had “virtually” destroyed Ukraine’s air force and anti-aircraft defenses, as well as the navy.
But Rudskoi said the Russian military did not rule out further attacks on Ukrainian cities, saying the assaults had not been planned.
“Initially, we did not plan to raid them to avoid destruction and minimize losses among personnel and civilians,” he told reporters.
“Although we do not rule out such a possibility, however, as individual groups complete their assigned tasks… our forces and means will concentrate on the main thing: the complete liberation of Donbas ”.
Putin’s troops have been seen affected by the collapse of morale after the quick victory promised by Putin turned into a bloodbath in the face of the Ukrainian resistance.
Ukraine is close to a major victory as British defense officials said there is now a “realistic chance” that the towns of Bucha and Irpin will be encircled by Ukrainian forces.
The Defense Ministry said Russian troops face “considerable supply and morale problems” and are unlikely to be able to regroup and capture kyiv.
But Ukraine said talks with Moscow remained “very difficult” and vowed not to back down on its demands, more than a month after the Russian invasion.
“The negotiation process is very difficult”, said Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
“The ukrainian delegation ana has taken a strong position and does not give up her demands.
“We insist, first of all, on a ceasefire, guarantees of security and territorial integrity of Ukraine”.
As the fighting takes its toll on the Russian troops, stories of anger and plummeting morale begin to emerge.
A soldier allegedly drove his tank into his commanding officer while protesting the appalling loss of life among his comrades.
Colonel Yuri Medvedev was hospitalized with serious leg injuries following the reported incident and apparently passed away.
Russia accidentally revealed that he had lost 9,800 soldiers, when the figure was revealed by a pro-Kremlin newspaper.
But NATO has said that the figure could reach 15,000 with a total losses including wounded, captured or missing up to 40,000. If the estimate is correct, then Russian losses in just under a month in Ukraine are now the same as they suffered during their ten-year war in Afghanistan, which ended in 1989.
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Ukraine expels to Russian troops in kyiv as a sign that the resistance is defeating Putin’s forces
Ukraine expels Russian troops from kyiv as a sign that the resistance is defeating Putin’s forces