On Friday, a top Russian general made some of the most comprehensive public remarks yet on Russia's military strategy in Ukraine, asserting that the "first stage" of Russia's military plan is now complete, with Russia's primary focus being on eastern Ukraine.
Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy, first deputy chief of Russia's General Staff, said in a Friday briefing that "the primary tasks of the first stage of the operation have been achieved in general." "The fighting potential of Ukraine's armed forces has been drastically diminished, allowing us to focus our efforts on achieving the main aim – the liberation of Donbas," says the statement.Russia's gains appear to have paused near important Ukrainian cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv, according to Rudskoy's remarks. Since the invasion began, Russia has struggled to gain air superiority in Ukraine and has incurred significant troop losses.
"The general public and particular experts are curious as to what we're doing in the blockaded Ukrainian cities," Rudskoy added. "These actions are being carried out with the goal of causing such damage to the Armed Forces of Ukraine's military infrastructure, equipment, and personnel that the results will not only allow us to tie down their forces and prevent them from strengthening their grouping in the Donbas, but will also prevent them from doing so until the Russian army completely liberates the DPR and LNR territories."Rudskoy was alluding to the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in eastern Ukraine, which Russia recognized on the eve of its invasion.
The purpose of what Russian officials euphemistically refer to as the "special military operation" in Ukraine, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is for the country to be completely demilitarized. The fight is going according to plan, according to Putin, but Russian forces have suffered significant losses: In the same briefing, Rudskoy stated that 1,351 military members were killed and 3,825 were injured in Ukraine. Russian casualties are expected to be substantially higher, according to US, NATO, and Ukrainian sourc"At first, we did not want to storm them in order to avoid destruction and reduce casualties among servicemen and civilians," Rudskoy explained. "And, while we cannot rule out such a scenario, as separate groups complete and successfully complete the tasks assigned to them, our forces and resources will be focused on the most important goal: the entire liberation of Donbas."
It's unclear whether Rudskoy's statement represents a shift in Russian military strategy or simply a shift in public messaging.
Despite strong evidence to the contrary, the Russian military claims that it is not targeting civilians or residential areas.es.
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