Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday praised the progress of his armed forces on “all fronts” in Ukraine. The situation in the Kharkov region is actually extremely tense as a result of Russian territorial gains in recent weeks. According to their own statements, the Ukrainian troops had to withdraw from individual positions.
“Since this year, our troops have every day improved their positions in all directions,” Putin said Wednesday during a televised meeting with senior military and armaments officials. New Russian Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov also took part in the meeting.
Putin: “We must triple our efforts”
During the meeting, the head of the Kremlin reiterated the importance of stronger and more advanced weapons in the fight against Ukraine. “We have often said that the winner is the one who more quickly masters the latest means of armed struggle,” the president said. “We need to be one step ahead: we need to double or triple our efforts in this area.”
The Russian head of state has recently repeatedly mentioned increasing arms production as a condition for victory over Ukraine. More advanced weapons would also reduce Russian losses, Putin argued. According to Putin, Russia spends just over 8.7 percent of its gross domestic product on defense and security. “It’s a big budget. And we are obliged to deal with it carefully and effectively,” Putin said.
Zelensky: “Destroy occupiers with all available means”
In a video message distributed on Wednesday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to instill confidence and spoke of a “partially stabilized situation” in the Kharkiv region. “The occupying forces that have invaded the Kharkov region will be destroyed by all available means. Artillery, drones and our infantry work quite accurately,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian head of state has canceled all trips abroad due to the difficult situation. He said in his video message that the defensive activities of Kiev forces would continue, especially in the city of Vovchansk, near the Russian border. At the same time, the armed forces also concentrated in other directions, including in the city of Kupiansk in the Kharkov region and in the Donetsk region around the city of Pokrovsk.
Source: Krone
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