'Battle for Donbas' critical for Russia, says British defence ministry

The "Battle of Donbas" remains Russia’s main strategic focus in Ukraine, Britain's defence ministry said on Friday, but it has suffered significant losses for limited territorial gains.

Russia withdrew its forces from outside Kyiv last month after failing to take the capital in the initial stages of its Feb 24 invasion and launched a massive attack in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

Moscow regards winning the "Battle of Donbas" as crucial if it is to achieve its stated aim of securing control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Britain's defence ministry said.

"Fighting has been particularly heavy around...