Donbas 'not lost to Russia yet' says Top US General Milley

Ukraine's eastern Donbas region has not yet been lost to the Russians, a top U.S. general said on Wednesday.

"No, it's not lost yet," U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said in a press briefing when asked by a reporter if the region was lost.

Moscow's military "tasks" in Ukraine now go beyond the eastern Donbas region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, in the clearest acknowledgement yet that it has expanded its war goals.

After a meeting earlier with some 50 countries virtually of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the same press briefing with General Milley that Lavrov's comments appeared to be aimed at the Russian population.

"That's not a surprise to any of us or anybody in Europe or anybody around the globe, I think he's talking to the people in Russia who have been ill informed throughout," Austin told reporters.

The West has supplied Ukraine with longer-range heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems so it can hold out despite Russian artillery supremacy in numbers and ammunition.

General Milley said Ukraine had used high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) to hit Russian command and control nodes, logistic network and air defense sites within Ukraine.

About 200 Ukrainian forces had been trained on the HIMARS and none of the systems had been destroyed by Russian forces, Milley said.

HIMARS have a longer range and are more precise than the Soviet-era artillery that Ukraine has had in its arsenal.

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[brianforbes]

This coming from the guy who thought the Taliban wouldn't take over when we left...

[bertjilk]

When Russia crys, you know you're doing something right. Ukraine has shown what they can do with serious weapons. Send them many more, and fast. Enough talk already.

[Chrislover]

Thanks to the 🇺🇸 for the pro assistance to Ukraine 🇪🇺 to stand against evil & tiranny. World will not forget that 💗

[sela]

God bless 🇺🇸! Best regards from Germany.

[samanthav]

Russians came at Ukraine with "NO Mercy". Ukraine will overcome them with NO Mercy to assure they don't ever forget Ukraine is a Strong, United Country with Democracy.

[Perplexer]

This is literally like commenting at 4 AM about the sun rising and saying "the night is not over yet, it's getting lighter by 1 lumen per 5 minutes, but not much more than that, the night is not yet over".

[marisel]

Thank you President Bidenand the US people for your all-out support to Ukraine..our respect and prayer🙏💯

[premierpollo]

I'd invest in Ukraine WAY before investing in Russia

[bldlightpainting]

Glory to God, and may the Ukrainian people quickly obtain the victory they deserve, and may the evil infecting their land we quickly destroyed.

[gearoidt]

Remember when Russia was running out of missiles? Funny times 😂

[richardlee]

So says the military that said Afghanistan will hold the taliban ummm there so funny 😁 😂

[robs]

the General looks a bit like prince andrew pmsl

[markminister]

Love it. Thank God for America. The world’s best hope.

[xDEEDBEEF]

Illeghal war of agression - said yank.

[atomicfairy]

In other words it's lost but we still have more arms to sell you.

[j.C]

Zoti e bekoft sh.b.a .Respekt per Oekraïne 👊👊

[vividprimevision]

God bless those who stand for ukraina🤗🤗🤗🤗

[jocko]

The chiefs at the Pentagon are impressed with the effectiveness of their weapons and the spirit and fight of the people of Ukraine. Ukraine has already won. On to victory.
Slava Ukraini!

[tomtonka]

“Yet” is such a telling word. C’mon allies, fight back, !! Send more artillery to Ukraine! And missiles!

[gearoidt]

"A day without comedy is a day wasted" - Elensky