Russian defence minister said Moscow’s “main goal” in Ukraine was now the “liberation” of the Donbas region, a sign that Moscow may be switching to more limited objectives after facing fierce Ukrainian resistance in the first month of the war.

“The main tasks of the first stage of the operation have been completed. The combat potential of the Ukrainian armed forces has been significantly reduced, which makes it possible to focus our main attention and main efforts on achieving the main goal - the liberation of Donbas.

The Ukrainian air force and the air defence system have been practically destroyed and that Russia now controlled the skies”, - said Sergei Shoigu.