Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Tuesday that the military has seized the initiative on the battlefield in Ukraine after repelling Kyiv’s counteroffensive and is well positioned to achieve Moscow’s goals.
Quick Read
- Putin’s Assertion of Military Control: Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that Russian forces have gained the upper hand in Ukraine, effectively countering Kyiv’s counteroffensive.
- Reelection Campaign: Putin’s announcement follows his submission of documents for the March presidential election, where his victory is highly anticipated.
- Russian Military Strategy: Putin emphasized that Russian forces are successfully implementing their plans, holding positions where necessary and advancing where needed.
- Casualties and Western Weapons: He claimed that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy losses during their counteroffensive and discredited the effectiveness of Western weapons.
- Shoigu’s Comments on Russian Military: Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu praised the combat experience gained by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, boasting of increased production of high-tech weapons despite sanctions.
- Enhancement of Russian Armed Forces: Shoigu detailed the significant expansion of Russian military capabilities, including tanks, drones, and artillery munitions.
- Advanced Weapon Systems: Russia is finalizing preparations for deploying new nuclear and conventional weapon systems like the Sarmat ICBM, Burevestnik cruise missile, and Poseidon underwater drone.
- Claims of NATO Involvement: Shoigu alleged without specifics that NATO personnel are operating Ukrainian military systems and aiding in military operations.
- Putin’s Call for Military Improvements: Putin recognized the need for advancements in military communications, intelligence, precision munitions, drones, and satellite capabilities.
- Focus on Nuclear Forces: He stressed the importance of Russia’s nuclear capabilities in response to evolving military threats.
- Justification for Ukraine Invasion: Putin reiterated his stance that the invasion was a response to Western threats, specifically NATO’s expansion.
- Openness to Negotiations: While open to talks, Putin insisted on adhering to Russia’s interests and not compromising on key issues.
The Associated Press has the story:
Putin hails Russia’s military performance in Ukraine, vows to achieve Moscow’s goals
Newslooks- MOSCOW (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Tuesday that the military has seized the initiative on the battlefield in Ukraine after repelling Kyiv’s counteroffensive and is well positioned to achieve Moscow’s goals.
Putin’s speech at a meeting with top military brass came a day after he presented documents to Russia’s Central Election Commission to seek reelection in the March presidential vote that he’s all but certain to win.
“Our troops are holding the initiative,” he said. “We are effectively doing what we think is needed, doing what we want. Where our commanders consider it necessary to stick to active defenses they are doing so, and we are improving our positions where it’s needed.”
The Russian leader hailed the troops for repelling Ukrainian attacks during the summer counteroffensive.
“The enemy has suffered heavy casualties and to a large extent wasted its reserves while trying to show at least some results of its so-called counteroffensive to its masters,” Putin said, adding that ”the myth about invulnerability of Western weapons also has collapsed.”
“All attempts by the West to deliver us a military defeat, a strategic defeat, were shattered by the courage and fortitude of our soldiers, the growing might of our armed forces and the potential of our military industries,” Putin said.
During the counteroffensive that began in early June, Ukrainian forces have failed to make any significant gains as they faced multiecheloned Russian defensive lines, including sprawling minefields.
Speaking at the same meeting, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the Russian minefields spread for 7,000 kilometers (more than 4,300 miles).
Shoigu said that 650,000 Russian soldiers have received combat experience in Ukraine, turning the Russian army into “the best prepared and capable army in the world, armed with advanced weapons that have been tested in combat.”
“Despite the sanctions, we produce more high-tech weapons than NATO countries,” Shoigu said.
He declared that the Russian arms industries have increased the output of tanks by 5.6 times, the number of drones built by 16.8 times and bolstered the production of artillery munitions by 17.5 times since the start of what the Kremlin calls “the special military operation” in Ukraine.
Shoigu said the military has received more than 1,500 new and modernized tanks, more than 2,500 armored infantry vehicles and 237 new planes and helicopters.
The minister said Russia’s armed forces were finalizing preparations for putting the Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile on combat duty and also building the infrastructure for the deployment of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon atomic-powered, nuclear-armed underwater drone.
Shoigu charged that military personnel from NATO countries operate Ukraine’s air defense systems, multiple rocket launchers and tactical missile systems and also help plan military operations and train troops. He didn’t provide specifics to support his claim.
While hailing the military’s performance, Putin noted the need to improve military communications, streamline the use of intelligence and counterartillery means, and increase supplies of precision munitions and drones. He added that Russia also needs to expand the capability of its satellite assets.
Putin particularly emphasized the importance of bolstering the country’s nuclear forces, saying that their role has increased amid “the changing character of military threats and the emergence of new military-political risks.”
Putin reaffirmed his long-held argument that he sent Russian troops into Ukraine to counter security threats to Russia posed by Western plans to incorporate the country in NATO. Ukraine and its Western allies have denounced the move by Moscow as an unprovoked act of aggression.
“The West isn’t abandoning its strategy of containment of Russia and its aggressive goals in Ukraine,” Putin said. “Well, we also aren’t going to abandon the goals of the special military operation.”
He declared that Russia is open for talks to end the conflict but warned that “we won’t give up what is ours.”
“If they want to talk, let them enter the talks,”Putin said. “But we will proceed from our interests.”
