The Next Phase In The Russia - Ukraine War Will Be In The East

 

National Interest: Russia Appears to Be Repositioning Its Forces Toward the Donbas 

The intensity of the Russian effort to capture Mariupol may reflect a deliberate effort to create a coastal corridor linking the Ukrainian coastline. 

After Russia’s convoy stalled outside of Kyiv, Russian forces do appear to be moving east and north in what could be seen as a decided shift in emphasis in advance of an escalated ground attack. 

Pentagon officials say Russia’s “repositioning” of small portions of its forces surrounding Kyiv likely pertains to a deliberate shift to the east, meaning Putin may in fact be seeking to secure gains in the Donbas, where pro-Russian separatists have been fighting Ukrainians for many years. 

 "It's clear the Russians want to reprioritize their operations in the Donbas area [and] that could be one destination, but again, [it's] too soon to know,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Thursday.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This probably was always the plan .... Russia aims to capture eastern, southern Ukraine - Zelensky (Jerusalem Post).  

Update: Retired Gen. Wesley Clark in the above video is recognizing what WNU pointed out a few days ago. The focus of the war will now be in the east. My prediction is that the next big battle will be in the city of Kramatorsk. 

 The Next Phase In The Russia - Ukraine War Will Be In The East  

U.S. expects fighting to intensify in Donbas region of Ukraine -- CBS  

As Russian forces move east, Ukraine digs in against losing Donbas -- The Hill  

Why Russia is trying to encircle Ukraine's east -- BBC  

Russia may be intensifying its assault in eastern Ukraine. Here's what that means -- CNN