Putin warns that the Ukrainian potential “has not been exhausted” despite less offensive activity

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Moscow fears a regrouping of troops with a view to new attacks in eastern Ukraine

June 22 () –

The Russian government considers that the counteroffensive launched this month by the Ukrainian Armed Forces has slowed down, but Russian President Vladimir Putin advocated on Thursday for remaining on guard because he considers that the Ukrainian attack potential “has not been exhausted “.

Putin believes that Kiev has not yet used all its “strategic reserves”, and has therefore urged Russian forces to take this into account to defend the areas occupied since the invasion that began in February 2022, the result of an order given by the Russian president himself.

In a meeting of the Security Council, Putin has called for organizing the combat activity based on the “realities”, which would also include taking into account that Kiev and its Western allies are willing to fight “until the last Ukrainian”, according to Interfax agencies.

For his part, the Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, has stated that, after 16 days of active fighting, “the enemy has reduced its activity”, hinting at an alleged slowdown that the Ukrainian authorities have not recognized in any case. . In fact, kyiv has celebrated the seizure of several locations in recent days.

Shoigu agreed with Putin that “the enemy still has the strength to carry out more offensive operations”, for which there would already be “preparations”, for example with the regrouping of troops.

Moscow alleges that Ukrainian troops have suffered “significant losses”. According to the Secretary of the Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have recorded more than 13,000 casualties, a figure impossible to independently verify.