Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday, June 13, that his forces were crushing the Ukrainian counter-offensive, which suffered “catastrophic” losses, while Kiev, on the contrary, claimed first gains.
It is the second time since Friday that the Russian president has said that his army is repelling the assault that Ukraine has been preparing for months, to drive Russian troops out of occupied Ukrainian territories, with supplies of Western weapons. In this regard, the United States announced on Tuesday additional military aid of 325 million dollars (300 million euros) to Ukraine, aimed in particular at strengthening its air defense against Russia.
“The (Ukrainian) casualties are approaching a level that can be described as catastrophic,” Vladimir Putin said in a televised meeting with Russian war correspondents, claiming that Russian casualties were “ten times less.” .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday evening that the offensive in the south and east to liberate Russian-occupied territories was “difficult” but was progressing with the recovery, according to the Ministry of Defense. , seven villages in the south and advances around Bakhmout (east), a martyred city ravaged by nearly a year of fighting.
Vladimir Putin admitted during the meeting on Tuesday the loss of 54 tanks, some of which are repairable. These data were unverifiable from independent sources. The Russian President also acknowledged that the military offensive in Ukraine has highlighted a lack of high-precision ammunition and drones in the Russian arsenal.
“It became clear that several things were missing: high-precision ammunition, communications equipment, drones,” Putin said during the meeting. “We have some, but not in sufficient quantity, unfortunately,” he added.
The Kremlin leader then judged that his country could have been “better prepared” for drone and artillery attacks on its territory from Ukraine. The Russian region of Belgorod, bordering Ukraine, has been targeted in recent weeks by several artillery and drone strikes, as well as an incursion by armed men.
Russia also plans to leave the agreement on the export of Ukrainian cereals due in particular to the non-respect, according to Moscow, of clauses on the export of Russian fertilizers. “We are now considering pulling out of this grain deal. […] Many conditions that were to be applied have not been met,” Vladimir Putin said. He also accused kyiv of using the maritime corridors provided for in this agreement to attack the Russian fleet with drones.