Russian commander suggests plan is for permanent occupation of south Ukraine

Rustam Minnekayev speaks of aim for land corridor to Crimea, despite Putin's earlier claims

• Russia-Ukraine war: latest updates

A senior Russian military commander has said the goal of Russia's new offensive is to seize control of southern Ukraine and form a land bridge to Crimea, indicating that Russia plans a permanent occupation of Ukrainian territory taken in the war.

Rustam Minnekayev, acting commander of the central military district, also told members of a defence industry forum on Friday that control over southern Ukraine would give Russia access to Transnistria, a pro-Russian breakaway region of Moldova, indicating that Russia may attack the port city of Odesa or launch an economic blockade of the area.