In the Donbas, Surkov Discussed the Possibility of a Renewal of Hostilities
The Assistant to the President of Russia, Vladislav Surkov, has travelled to the occupied Donbas region twice this month and discussed the possible resurgence of hostilities, as reported by the Ukrainian intelligence service.
“The main goal of the Russian occupational forces is to reach the administrative borders of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions,” stated a representative of the Department of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense. Vadim elaborated on the Kremlin’s decisions on the further development of the situation in eastern Ukraine and requested guidance for further actions.
“Furthermore, during Surkov’s visit the engagement of the Russian Federal Security Service operations in order to destabilize the situation in Ukraine, particularly in the Kharkov, Zaporozhye and other regions was actively discussed,” noted the representative of the intelligence service.
He also noted that after the visits by the Russian officials to the occupied territories, the fighting has intensified in eastern Ukraine. “As a rule, during this period bombing and intelligence activities increased,” Skibitsky added.
On the 17th of February, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said that Ukraine had information about the visit of the Assistant to the President of Russia, Vladislav Surkov, to pro-Russian separatists of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions on the 19–20th of January and on the 16th of February.
However, the Ministry of Defense stated that the main purpose of the visit was to review the reports of the “DPR” and “LPR” leaders.
Russian authorities have not commented on this information.