On the 51st day of the military operation launched by Russia on Ukrainian territory, all eyes are turning toward eastern Ukraine, particularly the Donbas region. Kyiv and Western countries are concerned about an imminent and extensive Russian attack in the area, especially following the setback they faced in the Black Sea with the sinking of their large warship "Moskva."
In this context, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in a video address this morning that Russia has intentions to target Donbas in the east of the country, including the besieged city of Mariupol. He emphasized that during the 51 days of extensive Russian operations, Russian forces have shown that their primary goal is the Donbas region. He added that this area is primarily what Moscow wants to destroy.
Additionally, he stated that the Russians aim to flatten the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, leaving them as nothing but stones and rubble without inhabitants.
Zelensky also praised all "who halted the advance of the endless streams of Russian military equipment" and showed that Russian ships can indeed sink, referring to the cruiser Moskva. He remarked that the Russians "do not know the extent of the courage of Ukrainians, and how much they value freedom and the ability to live the way they want."
It is noteworthy that the Ukrainian military announced yesterday that Russia is completing preparations to launch an attack in the eastern part of the country by mobilizing air force units. They explained that units of Russian forces in the eastern military district were transferred via rail from the Gomel region in Belarus.
Moscow announced at the beginning of this month (April 2022) that it had entered the second phase of its military operations in Ukraine, after withdrawing its forces from around the capital Kyiv and northern Ukraine, indicating that the focus would shift to the east. These developments come as the military operation that began on February 24 in the neighboring country approaches its third month, amid Western expectations that the conflict will extend for a long time.
