The Start of Military Operations in Donbas Will Mark the 'Beginning of the End' for Ukraine, Says Kremlin Representative

The Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Dmitry Kozak, has warned that the start of military operations in Donbas will mark the 'beginning of the end' for Ukraine. According to Lenta.ru, he made this statement during a press conference held on April 8.

Kozak has not ruled out that Russia will step in to protect the residents of Donbas if necessary. At the same time, he believes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Donbas is not related to the worsening situation in the region.

The Kremlin representative expressed confidence that the ongoing conflict in southeastern Ukraine could be resolved within a year, but emphasized that actions must be consistent and adhere to previously reached agreements.

It is noteworthy that earlier, Zelensky traveled to Donbas to meet with Ukrainian servicemen. Prior to that, reports emerged regarding combat losses recorded within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The situation in Donbas has begun to deteriorate since the end of March, with both the Ukrainian side and the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics accusing each other of intensified shelling.