Russia’s focus will now “almost certainly” switch to capturing the eastern region of Donetsk after claiming victory over the city of Lysychansk, the UK Ministry of Defence has said, APA reports citing The Guardian.

Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from Lysychansk, a frontline city in the Luhansk region, likely falling back to prepared defensive positions, the latest British intelligence report reads.

Fighting in and around the city – the last remaining major population centre in Luhansk under Ukrainian control – has intensified over the past week with Russian forces making steady progress, the ministry adds.

“Russia’s focus will now almost certainly switch to capturing Donetsk Oblast, a large portion of which remain under the control of Ukrainian forces.

The fight for the Donbas has been grinding and attritional and this is highly unlikely to change in the coming weeks.”

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency