The British prime minister said Saturday that the West should support Ukraine's efforts to retake territory occupied by Russian forces in the Donbasregion. Mr Johnson's comments were made after returning from a surprise visit to Kiev. Today, the Ukrainian military announced that Russian military operations have focused precisely on the cities of the Donbas region, while attacks on civilian infrastructure continue. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy appeared on video visiting the city of Mykolaiv and decorating Ukrainian soldiers on the southern front of the war.
Speaking to reporters after returning from an unannounced visit to Kiev, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Saturday that the West should support Ukraine's efforts to recapture territory seized by Russia.
"It would be a disaster if Putin wins. It would be a disaster if it secured the land connection to the cities it captured in the south, to keep the Donbas region. That's what he wants. He wants to be able to say that: We have Melitopol, Berdyanski, Mariupol and the entire southern generation. We have Kherson and soon all donbass. That's what he'd most like. A frozen conflict, a ceasefire, as happened in 2014. For him, this would be an extraordinary victory and create anxiety for Britain and governments worldwide. It would be devastating, as we would have a situation where Putin would consolidate the advantage and start another attack", the British prime minister said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that he had visited soldiers on the southern front line in the Mykolaiv region, but did not give details of when.
Mykolaivi was among the areas where Russian forces initially arrived in March, but which were dragged back to eastern and southern parts, where fighting continues.
The Ukrainian military confirmed Saturday that Russian forces are focusing efforts on the cities of Sievierodonetsk and Bakhmut. Ukrainian army spokesman Oleksandr Stupun said Russian forces' efforts to improve tactical position had not been successful, while continuing to hit civilian infrastructure.
"The enemy continues to suffer losses in people and equipment. According to recent information, Ukraine's defense units destroyed at least 30 different units with equipment and armaments," Mr. Stupun said.
Russia says it has taken nearly half of Donjetsk and almost the entire Luhansk region, the two constituent parts of Donbass.
The town of Sievierodonetsk and surrounding villages make up the last pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the Luhansk region.