SHELL SHOCK AND AWE: With Russia having trimmed its aims in Ukraine to the “complete liberation” of the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine, the stage is set for an extended World War II-style battle where each side pounds the other with artillery and rocket fire.

In an interview with India Today television, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the “special operation,” as Russia calls the war, has entered its next phase with the goal of the complete liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

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