Russia says invasion thwarted Ukraine plan to attack separatist-held regions

Pro-Kremlin activists and students rally with Russian and Donetsk People republic flags and a poster that reads: 'Donetsk Luhansk People republics we are together' celebrating the recognition of rebel-controlled regions in Donbas, at the Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ivan Petrov)
Pro-Kremlin activists and students rally with Russian and Donetsk People republic flags and a poster that reads: 'Donetsk Luhansk People republics we are together' celebrating the recognition of rebel-controlled regions in Donbas, at the Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ivan Petrov)

Russia’s Defense Ministry says its operation thwarted a large-scale plot to attack separatist-held regions of eastern Ukraine.

Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov today cites from what he claimed was an intercepted Ukrainian National Guard document laying out plans for a weekslong operation targeting the Donbas region.

Konashenkov says in a televised statement: “The special military operation of the Russian armed forces, carried out since Feb. 24, preempted and thwarted a large-scale offensive by strike groups of Ukrainian troops on the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, which are not controlled by Kyiv, in March of this year.”

He does not address Russia’s shelling, airstrikes and attacks on Ukrainian civilians or cities, Russian military casualties or any other aspect of its bogged-down campaign.

Russia calls its invasion of Ukraine a “special military operation,” and official statements about the war have focused almost exclusively on fighting and evacuations in the separatist-held regions, where Russian-backed forces have been fighting Ukraine’s military since 2014.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.