The Russian defence ministry on Friday announced that the first phase of its military operation against Ukraine was mostly complete, and that it would focus on completely “liberating” eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. This appears to be an indication of a change in strategy and a possible scaling down of the operation in Ukraine.

“The main objectives of the first stage of the operation have generally been accomplished,” said Sergei Rudskoi, head of the Russian General Staff’s Main Operational Directorate.

“The combat potential of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been considerably reduced, which … makes it possible to focus our core efforts on achieving the main goal, the liberation of Donbas.”

The defence ministry said Russian-backed separatists now controlled 93 per cent of Ukraine’s Luhansk region and 54 per cent of the Donetsk region – the two areas that jointly make up the Donbas.

Rudskoi said Russian forces had “practically” destroyed Ukraine’s air force and anti-aircraft defences, as well as the navy. a “special operation” to weaken its southern neighbour’s military capabilities and root out people it called dangerous nationalists.

He said 1,351 Russian soldiers had died in the operation and 3,825 had been injured. Russia’s military had not given an official casualty figure since March 2, when it said 498 soldiers had been killed.

However, Ukraine has been claiming much higher casualties inflicted on the Russian forces.

At the same time Russia’s military said that it did not rule out storming Ukrainian cities that it had blockaded and Russia would react immediately to any attempt to close the airspace over Ukraine.

Russia’s General Staff said its military operation in Ukraine would continue until Russian forces had completed the tasks that had been set, without saying what those tasks were.

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