British Intelligence: Russia could gain Luhansk control in the next two weeks

In the report, the ministry said that following Kiev's failure to capture, Moscow has changed its strategy to Ukraine, focusing on Donbas, part of eastern Ukraine that is composed of the Luhansk and Donnetsk regions.

The two pieces of Donbas have been held by Russian-backed separatists since 2014. They have become known as the People's Republics of Luhansk and Donestsk, and they make up one third of the entire Donbas area.

The Ukrainian government estimates that the two regions, in principle, are temporarily occupied by Russia. The self-declared republics are not recognised by any government except Russia and its close ally, Syria, and the Ukrainian government has refused to negotiate directly with the leaders of the area.

Russia is now achieving tactical successes in Donbas. Russian forces have generated and maintained the moment and now appear to have initiative towards Ukrainian forces”, the British intelligence report says. /Periscopi/