First stage of military operation in Ukraine complete, main goal to ‘liberate’ Donbas, says Russia

The ‘first stage’ of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is now complete, according to a top Russian general.

Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy, first deputy chief of Russia’s General Staff, said at a briefing on Friday, “In general, the main tasks of the first stage of the operation have been completed. The combat potential of the armed forces of Ukraine has been significantly reduced, allowing us, I emphasise again, to focus the main efforts on achieving the main goal – the liberation of Donbas.”

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had said the war was going “according to plan”.