From CNN, “A top Russian general gave some of the most detailed public remarks to date on Russia’s military strategy in Ukraine, claiming on Friday that the ‘first stage’ of Russia’s military plan is now complete, with their primary focus now centered on eastern Ukraine. ‘In general, the main tasks of the first stage of the operation have been completed,’ Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy, first deputy chief of Russia’s General Staff, said in a Friday briefing. ‘The combat potential of the armed forces of Ukraine has been significantly reduced, allowing us, I emphasize again, to focus the main efforts on achieving the main goal – the liberation of Donbas.’”
The words of Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy would be comical if not for the tragic seriousness of Russia’s invasion and the ensuing war crimes committed by Russian soldiers in the name of chief war criminal Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin — Vladi for short. Nonetheless, if Russia claims round one is complete, then Ukraine is the clear winner. Let’s hope round two is a repeat of round one. Slava Ukraini!