Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking a less harsh tone after the massive shelling of Ukrainian cities with cruise missiles and rockets. No further mass air strikes are currently needed, he said Friday. He added: “We have not made it our goal to destroy Ukraine. No of course not.”
Nevertheless, Putin promised further shelling. Of a total of 29 objects targeted, seven were “not damaged as planned by the defense ministry,” Putin said at the end of a security conference in the Kazakh capital Astana. “But they’ll make up for it, the objects.”
‘No more huge blows are needed at the moment’
The Kremlin chief did not say what the specific targets were. At the same time, he stressed that no further large-scale attacks are currently planned: “There is no longer a need for mass strikes. Now there are other tasks.”
Putin: No further conscription after partial mobilization
The head of state also announced that after the partial mobilization that has now taken place, there will be no more convocations. In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the soldiers for their services in the nearly eight-month-long war and promised that his country would win.
Putin is ready to negotiate
Putin again stated in Astana that he was ready to negotiate. Talks with Ukraine should be conducted through international mediation. The invasion was not a mistake: “I want to say it clearly: what happened today is unpleasant to say the least. But we should have done the same a little later, just under worse conditions for us, that’s all.” Putin again warned NATO that intervention would lead to global catastrophe.At the beginning of the invasion, which by his choice of words is not a war but a special military operation, Putin stated the goal of liberating Ukraine from the Nazis.
Four Ukrainian regions annexed
At the end of September, Russia annexed the Ukrainian regions of Kherson, Luhansk and Donetsk, along with the Zaporizhzhya region. The United Nations General Assembly condemned this by a large majority. 143 of the 193 country assembly voted in favor of the resolution, demonstrating Russia’s extensive international isolation. Only four countries opposed the resolution, the others abstained.
Ukraine recaptured more than 600 cities in September
Putin spoke after a series of setbacks on the battlefield. According to Ukraine, it recaptured more than 600 cities in September. According to the government, their troops have made progress, especially in the northeastern region of Kharkov.
However, British intelligence also reported that pro-Russian forces were advancing towards the strategically important city of Bakhmut in the eastern region of Donetsk. The British Ministry of Defense said in its latest intelligence bulletin they had probably already penetrated villages south of the city.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
