The President of the Russian Federation stated that “only part of the Russian army” is fighting in Ukraine.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin for the first time commented on the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kharkiv region and voiced his own version of the failure of Russian troops.
“Kyiv authorities have announced that they are conducting an active counterattack operation. Well, let's see how it will develop and how it will end,” said Putin, speaking at a press conference in Samarkand, where the SCO summit is being held. army. “Not the full, only contract part of the Russian army is fighting. This is related to certain parameters of personnel,” he added.
In fact, the Russian Federation uses both conscripts (which are recognized in Russia itself) and mercenaries in the war against Ukraine. and “mobilized” in captured territories, and even imprisoned.
The Russian president once again tried to convince the listeners that the Russian Federation attacked Ukraine “for self-defense.” “They (Western countries – ed.) wanted to create such an anti-Russian enclave and threaten Russia from this direction. This, in fact, is our main goal – to prevent such a development. The West will not wait for the collapse of Russia,” he said.
Putin once again expressed confidence that the tasks of the “special military operation” will be fulfilled. Today, its plan, which has been changed several times, has once again returned to full control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
“The SVO plan cannot be adjusted. The main goal is the liberation of the entire territory of Donbas. Offensive operations in Donbas itself are proceeding at a slow pace, but the Russian army is consistently and gradually occupying new and new territories. We are not in a hurry,” he added.
After the successful liberation of Kharkiv region from the occupiers, the Russians attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure, completely or partially cutting off electricity in populated areas of six regions. We will consider these to be pre-emptive strikes,” Putin said, linking the missile strikes with the alleged “strikes by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Russian Federation”. Recep Erdogan “constantly offers a meeting with Zelenskyi”.
“We conducted a negotiation process with the Kyiv authorities, but they refused all agreements. They announced that they would seek victory on the battlefield. Flag in hands. They are trying to do it right now,” the autocrat said.
Read also: “Russian troops are never retreating anywhere, this is just a “subtle military strategy” – Kadyrov
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