Putin stated the necessity of achieving all the goals of the war in Ukraine and noted the successes of the Russian Armed Forces

President Vladimir Putin once again declares that the Russian Federation must achieve all the goals of the war in Ukraine.

The Russian president said this at a meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

He also claims that Ukrainian troops, “despite attempts at stubborn resistance, are retreating along the entire line of contact” and that “at present the strategic initiative completely remains with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.”

At the same time, he instructed “to ensure the security of energy facilities” which are being attacked by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the territory of the Russian Federation.

“The enemy, despite attempts at stubborn resistance, is retreating along the entire line of contact. And against this background, the Kyiv regime, striving to demonstrate to its Western sponsors at least some success, is trying to strike deep into Russian territory at absolutely civilian targets. This will not help it. And our task is to ensure the safety of Russian citizens, the safety of strategic facilities and civilian infrastructure facilities, including energy,” said the head of the Kremlin.

Chief of the General Staff of the Russian army Valery Gerasimov, at the meeting with Putin, announced the “destruction of the encircled grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near the Kleban-Byk reservoir” (south of Kostiantynivka) and the “final stage of the rout of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the southern districts of Kupiansk” (Ukraine has not confirmed any of this), as well as advances in all other directions.

Let us recall, the media report that Putin plans to end the war in Ukraine only next year.