Lavrov-Russia's Aims In Ukraine Have Changed, Focus Now Not Just Donbas

Russia's state-run RIA Novosti reporting comments from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating that the, "geographical objectives of the 'special operation' in Ukraine have changed from just the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics to a number of other territories".

• Lavrov: "If the West delivers long-range weapons to Kyiv, geographical objectives in Ukraine will be advanced even further".
• US warned on the prospect of proxy officials being installed in regions not contained within the Donbas (see 1139BST bullethttps://marketnews.com/ukraine-contact-group-meets...)
• As with much of Lavrov's rhetoric, it remains to be seen whether it translates into direct military action or is an attempt at misleading Kyiv and the West.
• Comes as Russian and Ukrainian forces remain locked in bitter struggle in the Donbas, with Russia holding significant territory but having to commit significant resources to make any gains. RFE/RL reported earlier today that "Outnumbered Ukrainian defenders continue to hold the line in the east against Russian forces who only make "minimal gains," British military intelligence said on July 20..."