Russia-Ukraine war: Ukrainian forces focus on retaking Donbas

The focus of the near-seven-month war between Russia and Ukraine has now turned to the Donbas region where pro-Russia separatists occupy portions of the territory. As part of its offensive, Ukrainian forces are now seeking to retake control of the key region which Russia has sought to seize.

The Ukrainian military said Monday that its troops crossed the strategic Oskil river as they advance further into the Donbas region, gearing up for another offensive in the area to drive out Russian forces and retake control of the territory.

Crossing the Oskil river is a key part of Ukraine’s counter-attack as it flows south into the Siversky Donets, which goes through Donbas.

Beyond the area is Luhansk, the territory held by pro-Russian separatists since 2014 and was in Russian control since July.

In a post on the Telegram messaging platform, the Ukrainian military said it has “pushed across the Oskil. From yesterday, Ukraine controls the east bank.”

“Luhansk region is right next door. De-occupation is not far away,” said Luhansk’s Ukrainian regional governor Serhiy Haidai.

This follows Ukraine’s success in the northeastern region of Kharkiv, with Russian troops fleeing and abandoning their weapons and military vehicles. The retreat by Russian forces in Kharkiv marked the biggest blow to Moscow since they were driven out of the capital Kyiv in the early days of the war.

Russia-backed officials in Donetsk said Monday that Ukrainian forces killed at least a dozen people. The Russian military also claimed to have inflicted damage on Ukrainian forces on several frontlines.

According to the Ukrainian presidential office, the latest shelling by Russia killed eight civilians and wounded 22 others.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also pledged Sunday that Ukrainian forces would continue to keep up their momentum despite the successes of their offense so far.

“Perhaps now it seems to some of you that after a series of victories we now have a lull of sorts,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address. “But this is not a lull. This is preparation for the next series…because Ukraine must be free…all of it.”

The British defense ministry also warned that Russia may increase its attacks on civilian infrastructure as a result of Ukraine’s victories in the northeast.