Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed Russian forces have advanced in multiple areas of Ukraine and are pushing Ukrainian troops westward. Specifically, he stated Russian forces have gained ground in the Avdiivka, Donetsk, and Kupiansk regions.
Shoigu also asserted that Russian forces are inflicting heavy losses on Ukrainian troops and destroying Western-supplied military equipment. He cited figures regarding Ukrainian casualties and equipment losses. He blamed Ukrainian forces for continuing to shell the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, creating a risk of nuclear disaster.
Furthermore, Shoigu discussed the ongoing spring draft in Russia, stating that conscripts will not be deployed to fight in Ukraine. He claimed that the Russian military is rapidly strengthening its forces and increasing its combat capabilities in response to perceived threats from NATO. He accused NATO of increasing its military presence near Russia’s borders and engaging in provocative activities.
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