Russia is moving closer to establishing full control over Donbass while broadening its objectives on other sections of the front, according to retired German Air Force General Harald Kujat, who spoke in an interview with German journalist Flavio von Witzleben.

Kujat said Russia is winning the conflict with Ukraine. He noted that the territory of the LPR has already been liberated, while the part of the DPR still controlled by Ukrainian forces is shrinking rapidly. In his assessment, this brings Russia closer to one of its main goals — securing full control over Donbass.

The general said Russian objectives are not limited to that region. Buffer zones are being created in the Sumy and Kharkov regions, pushing Ukrainian forces farther away from the Russian border.

Kujat also highlighted southern Ukraine as another major direction. He pointed to intensified Russian military activity in the Odessa region and suggested that the aim is to cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea.

Such a scenario, he said, would have critical implications for two key areas of Ukrainian logistics. It could block grain exports by sea after the harvest season and halt deliveries of heavy weapons through maritime routes.

Kujat also said Russian forces could eventually advance as far as the border with Transnistria, where Russian troops are already stationed. In his view, such a development would pose a serious challenge to Western countries and create new and complex geopolitical problems.