High Cost Of Russian Gains In Ukraine May Limit New Advance

There are signs Russia is sustaining heavy losses in Ukraine, raising doubts about whether its forces are ready for a new offensive in Donetsk.

After more than four months of ferocious fighting, Russia claimed a key victory: full control over one of the two provinces in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland.

But Moscow's seizure of the last major stronghold of Ukrainian resistance in Luhansk province came at a steep price. The critical question now is whether Russia can muster enough strength for a new offensive to complete its capture of the Donbas and make gains elsewhere in Ukraine.

Related StoryPutin Declares Victory In Ukrainian Donbas Region Of Luhansk