According to Russian state news, TASS on Friday, Russian Major General Rustam Minnekaev, Deputy Commander of the Central Military District said that the 'second phase' of the war on Ukraine will be centered around establishing a 'land corridor' between Russia, the Russian-occupied portion of Crimea, and Transnistria, a pro-Russian area of Moldova.
Minnekaev stated, "From the beginning of the second phase of the special operation, it has already begun, literally two days ago, one of the tasks of the Russian army is to establish full control over the Donbas and southern Ukraine".
"This (control over the Donbas - TASS note) will provide a land corridor to the Crimea, as well as influence the vital facilities of the Ukrainian [military forces], Black Sea ports through which agricultural and metallurgical products are delivered to [other] countries," he said.
He also said that the next phase will focus on cutting across Southern Ukraine and linking up with Transnistria.
"Control over the South of Ukraine is another way out to Transnistria, where there are also facts of oppression of the Russian-speaking population," he stated.
“Apparently, we are now at war with the whole world, as it was in the Great Patriotic War, all of Europe, the whole world was against us. And now the same thing, they never liked Russia", Minnekaev added.
"During strikes, the Russian armed forces do not suffer any losses. This kills the morale of the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine the most. The technical superiority of the Russian army on land, at sea, and in the air has become obvious".
He then said that this would cause the 'special operation' to be brought to its 'logical conclusion' and claimed that Russia "didn’t start this war, but we will finish it".
Minnekaev stated, "From the beginning of the second phase of the special operation, it has already begun, literally two days ago, one of the tasks of the Russian army is to establish full control over the Donbas and southern Ukraine".
"This (control over the Donbas - TASS note) will provide a land corridor to the Crimea, as well as influence the vital facilities of the Ukrainian [military forces], Black Sea ports through which agricultural and metallurgical products are delivered to [other] countries," he said.
He also said that the next phase will focus on cutting across Southern Ukraine and linking up with Transnistria.
"Control over the South of Ukraine is another way out to Transnistria, where there are also facts of oppression of the Russian-speaking population," he stated.
“Apparently, we are now at war with the whole world, as it was in the Great Patriotic War, all of Europe, the whole world was against us. And now the same thing, they never liked Russia", Minnekaev added.
"During strikes, the Russian armed forces do not suffer any losses. This kills the morale of the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine the most. The technical superiority of the Russian army on land, at sea, and in the air has become obvious".
He then said that this would cause the 'special operation' to be brought to its 'logical conclusion' and claimed that Russia "didn’t start this war, but we will finish it".