Combat capabilities of Ukrainian forces substantially reduced: Russia

Moscow, March 26 Russia says it will focus its invasion of Ukraine on "liberating" the east, signalling a possible shift in its strategy, the BBC reported.

The Defence Ministry said that the initial aims of the war were complete, and that Russia had reduced the combat capacity of Ukraine.

"The main tasks of the first stage of the operation have been carried out," said Sergei Rudskoy, head of the General Staff's main operations administration.

"The combat capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces have been substantially reduced, which allows us to concentrate our main efforts on achieving the main goal: the liberation of Donbas," he added, referring to an area in eastern Ukraine largely in the hands of Russian-backed separatists.

Russia's military has been bombarding and trying to encircle key Ukrainian cities such as the capital Kiev, which Gen Rudskoy characterised as an attempt to tie down Ukraine's forces elsewhere in the country while Russia focuses on the east, the BBC reported.

Ukrain President Volodymyr Zelensk, said his troops had landed "powerful blows" on Russia and called on Moscow to recognise the need for serious peace talks.

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