Russia plans to take full control of it Donbass and southern Ukraine, as part of the second phase of the military operation, said today the deputy commander of the Central Military District of Russia, as reported by the Interfax news agency.
At the same time, the Russian army said that Acquisition of control of southern Ukraine will provide them with a corridor to Transnistria in Moldovaaccording to reports by the Russian news agency Tass.
The reports come just weeks after Ukraine’s general staff said they believed Russian troops were concentrated in the self-proclaimed Transnistrian republic and were preparing. to carry out “provocations” along the border.
Ukraine fears that Russian troops in Transnistria – believed to number around 1,300 – could open another front in the war.
But both Moldova and the separatist authorities in the breakaway region have denied the allegations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova stated that “there is no information to confirm“The mobilization of troops, but” closely monitors “the situation.
In fact, the Economist journalist Oliver Carroll in a twitter post stated that “For the first time, the Russian military says it is aiming to take control of all of southern Ukraine. Forget “de-Naziization”, now it is officially about Transnistria joining Russia and Ukraine refusing access to the sea».
Russian military for the first time says it is aiming for control over the entire of southern Ukraine. Forget “denazification,” now it’s officially about joining Transnistria with Russia and denying Ukraine access to the sea. https://t.co/Vkl6VQm7Cq
– Oliver Carroll (@olliecarroll) April 22, 2022
He himself reportedly stated that Russia plans to create one land corridor between Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and Donbass.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced today that 58 military targets in Ukraine were hit overnight, including military bases where fuel, military equipment and ammunition were stored.
The ministry said it also struck three targets with high-precision missiles, including an S-300 air defense system and an area where many Ukrainian soldiers were concentrated with their equipment.
Reuters reports that it is not in a position to verify this information independently.
Conflicts are intensifying
Clashes are intensifying in many parts of eastern Ukraine, according to the country’s armed forces.
According to the mayor of the Ukrainian city Sloviansk, the Russians pounded the city all night, possibly using cluster bombs. The mayor said no deaths were reported and called on citizens to evacuate the city.
⚡️ Mayor: Russian forces used cluster munitions in Sloviansk.
According to Sloviansk Mayor Vadym Lyakh, “the night was restless” as the city was under fire from Russian forces, who “likely” used cluster bombs. No casualties were reported. The mayor urged people to evacuate.
– The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 22, 2022
Russian units are escalating the clashes along the entire front line in the Donetsk region, the Ukrainian General Staff said in a statement today.
Russia is conducting offensive operations near the Zarisne region. Russian forces are trying to advance around the city of Rubizne in the Luhansk region. Clashes continue around the town of Popasna. According to the information of the staff, part of this city is already controlled by the Russian troops.
Violent clashes are also taking place around Marginka, as in previous days. Russian units tried to advance there with artillery support.
The German news agency (dpa) could not independently cross-reference information on the war front.
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