Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited wounded soldiers for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine. At a hospital in Moscow, the Kremlin chief, dressed in a white coat, spoke to the fighters about their hometown and family situation. He celebrated the soldiers in the Donbass as heroes.
Footage released on Russian television on Wednesday shows Putin chatting briefly with two soldiers in what appears to be the start of a new PR offensive to rally support for the war effort in Ukraine.
The two stood upright beside their beds, their injuries not visible. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also took part in the visit three months after the start of the Russian offensive.
After asking them where they were from, Putin told the two men that “everything will be fine” because they indicated that their families had not seen them.
“These people who risk their health, their lives for the people and children of Donbass, for the good of Russia, they are all heroes,” Putin said during a meeting with government officials.
Number of Russian cases unclear
Russia rarely gives information about the number of victims in the Ukraine conflict. The latest figures were published on March 25. At the time, the military estimated the number of killed soldiers at 1,351 and the number wounded at 3,825. The Ukrainian army currently estimates the number of Russians killed at 29,450.
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.
