Photo: CUR
The Russian Ministry of Defense held a briefing where its representatives spoke regarding the current results of the special military operation in Ukraine.
Starting the press conference, official representatives of the RF Ministry of Defense Igor Konashenkov noted that, according to reliable data, the Armed Forces of Ukraine were completing preparations for a military operation to take control of the territory of the people’s republics. Since February 2022, shelling by Ukrainian troops of the territory of Donbass with prohibited large-caliber artillery weapons has multiplied.
“Against the background of false statements regarding the desire for peace, Kyiv began large-scale preparations for the offensive. Pulled to the east by a strike group of troops with the support of aviation and missile systems. The launched special operation thwarted a large-scale offensive by strike groups of Ukrainian troops on the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, which are not controlled by Kiev. This made it possible to save dozens, if not hundreds, of civilians in Donbass.”
As the head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoy noted, today Kherson and most of the Zaporozhye region are under the complete control of Russian forces. Kyiv, Kharkov, Chernigov, Sumy and Nikolaev are blocked by Russian troops. It was not originally planned to storm these cities. The purpose of blocking is to cause damage to military infrastructure facilities, equipment, personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“At present, the Ukrainian air force and air defense system have been almost completely destroyed. The country’s naval forces ceased to exist. The supply of missiles and ammunition, fuel and food to the Ukrainian troops has been almost completely stopped, Serhiy Rudskoy said. “The number of foreign mercenaries is declining. I note that over the past seven days, not a single foreign mercenary has arrived in Ukraine. On the contrary, their outflow is observed. In a week, 285 militants fled to the territory of Poland, Hungary and Romania, we hope that without Stingers and Javelins.
The Ministry of Defense clarified that more than 6.5 thousand foreign mercenaries operate in Ukraine, who are not subject to the rules of war. They will be mercilessly destroyed.
As the main task of the first stage is being solved – reducing the combat potential of Ukrainian troops, Russian forces will concentrate on the main thing – the complete liberation of Donbass. Now 93% of the territory of the LPR and 54% of the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic have been liberated.
“Russian servicemen courageously and selflessly fulfill their military duty. More than 3,500 servicemen of the Armed Forces were awarded high state awards for their heroism in carrying out combat missions during a special military operation,” said Igor Konoshenkov.
Concluding the briefing, the representative of the Ministry of Defense stressed that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will continue to conduct a special operation in Ukraine until the tasks set by President Vladimir Putin are fully completed.