War, “a success”. Shoigu certifies the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu declared the failure of the Ukrainian counter-offensive that began in June this year and assured that the Russian army is advancing on all sectors of the front. «Last year’s main efforts focused on achieving the objectives of the special military operation. The most important thing was to stop the counter-offensive announced by Ukraine and its NATO allies. The mission was completed successfully”, said the Vladimir Putin loyalist in a meeting with the General Staff of the Russian army.

According to Shoigu, «this is due to several determining factors: the creation of an effective system of fortifications, the high combat capacity of all units, the reliability and effectiveness of Russian war equipment». “And above all – noted the minister – the skillful and determined action of the defenders of the homeland, who altruistically guarantee the security of the country and its citizens”. Shoigu also highlighted “joint efforts in the rear and at the front” that helped the troops and noted that “the Russian army constantly occupies increasingly advantageous positions and expands control of new territories in all sectors of the front.”

For two months, Russian forces significantly intensified their action in several sectors of the front, especially in the Donetsk region. The Russians have also made good progress in the Kharkiv region, in an attempt to get closer to Kupiansk, a city from which they were forced to withdraw in September 2022. Ukraine began a counteroffensive last June, with the aim of pushing back the Russian forces to the south and cut the land bridge connecting Russia to the Crimean peninsula, annexed in 2014, but their efforts were thwarted by mines and fortified Russian defense lines in the Zaporizhzhia sector. And even the Ukrainians themselves admitted the failure and slow progress of the attempt.