Did a Serving Russian General Just Say That After Donbass Russia Will Capture the Rest of Ukraine’s Coast?

Editor’s note: Did a serving Russian general (deputy commander of a Military District no less) just says that after Donbass Russia will seek to capture the rest of Ukraine’s coast?

The mention of Pridnestrovie and pointing out how the control of southern Ukraine would secure Russia’s access to it would sure seem to imply that. Problem is, other than that one statement there really isn’t anything definite here.

Actually I do think that capturing the rest of the coast is the bare minimum Russia needs to do to be able to claim victory.

However that would still leave a 30-million very hostile entity that the West will arm to the teeth on its doorstep.

Source: TASS

Machine translated from Russian.

The Russian army during the second stage of the special operation should establish full control over the Donbass. This was stated by Deputy Commander of the Central Military District, Major General Rustam Minnekayev, at the annual meeting of the Union of Defense Industries of the Sverdlovsk Region.

“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 Donbass and southern Ukraine,” he said.

The control of the Russian Armed Forces over the Donbass will allow the creation of a land corridor to the Crimea, Minnekaev emphasized.

“This 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,” – said the deputy commander.

“Control over the South of Ukraine is another way to Pridnestrovie, where there are also facts of oppression of the Russian-speaking population.”

“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,” he added.

Minnekaev stressed that the technical superiority of the Russian army over the Ukrainian Armed Forces on land, sea and airspace is obvious.

“When striking, 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 said.

Minnekaev added that the special operation should be “successfully brought to its logical conclusion.” He stated that all tasks set will be completed.

“We didn’t start this war, but we will finish it,” Minnekaev said.​