Kremlin Seeks Control of Southern Ukraine, Russian General Says
- Goal is land bridge to Crimea, control of ports, general says
- Russia hasn’t stated such sweeping territorial goals
A soldier stands guard over the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater.
Photographer: Scott Peterson/Getty Images
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A Russian general said the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine aims to secure control of the entire south of the country as well as the eastern Donbas region, according to state news services, as he also suggested the campaign could extend into neighboring Moldova.
The push in southeastern Ukraine aims “to establish full control over Donbas and southern Ukraine,” Major General Rustam Minnekayev, acting commander of Russia’s Central Military District, said Friday at a defense industry meeting in Ekaterinburg, the Tass and RIA Novosti news services reported.