2023-06-13 17:39:40
Russian President Vladimir Putin explained the military campaign in Ukraine during a meeting with pro-Kremlin bloggers that was broadcast on television on Tuesday. Among other things, he acknowledged that there is a “problem with attacks in Russian regions” and that his country could have prepared better. He also spoke of the possible establishment of a “sanitary zone” in Ukraine and Moscow’s consideration of withdrawing from the grain deal.
“The number of drone and artillery attacks directed from Ukraine towards Russian territory has multiplied in recent weeks,” Putin admitted. “Of course it is necessary to strengthen the border. It was possible to be better prepared for that,” he said on Tuesday. The Belgorod region, near the Ukrainian border, has been targeted by artillery and drone attacks in recent weeks, followed by a raid by armed men.
Russia will deploy anti-aircraft systems, the Russian president continued. However, the attacks mean that troops and equipment have to be removed from elsewhere on the front.
‘Sanitary area’
If the attacks continue, we will consider establishing a ‘sanitary zone’ in Ukraine, “at a distance from which they will not be able to attack our territory,” Putin said, without further clarifying what this zone would entail or how Russia she would create.
Putin again repeated the accusation that the rupture of the Kakhovka dam was deliberately caused by Ukraine: they allegedly blew up the dam with Himars missiles, he claims. “Unfortunately, that hindered their counter-offensive.”
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To lose
The Ukrainians will also receive reinforcements from Polish mercenaries, Putin said. Nevertheless, he believes that the Ukrainians are also suffering heavy losses. “They suffered catastrophic losses on several fronts since they launched their counter-offensive,” he said, adding that losses on the Ukrainian side are about 10 times higher.
Moreover, according to Putin, Ukraine has already lost more than a quarter of the vehicles it received from Western allies in the war. Regarding tanks in particular, the president said that 54 have become unusable for Russia compared to 160 for Ukraine. Putin also argued that Western arms transfers are in violation of international law. About its own arsenal, he said that Russia has too few precision weapons and drones.
Military factories work day and night
Russian production of major weapons has almost tripled in the past year, according to Putin, who said that the quality of the weapons is also improving. “Military factories work day and night,” he said.
According to Putin, further mobilization of reservists is not necessary. That could change in the future, if Russia’s goals change. If Russia wanted to try again to capture the capital Kiev, more forces would have to be mobilized.
“Peace Plan”
Putin said Russia is open to peace talks over Ukraine, but that the only way to end the conflict is for Western countries to stop arms transfers to Kiev.
He also reiterated his accusation that the West is trying to beat Russia in Ukraine and said Moscow has its own “peace plan” for that country.
Withdrawal grain agreement
Putin also said that Russia is considering withdrawing from the grain deal because Moscow was “cheated” in implementing parts of the deal related to its own exports. The agreement was designed to help “friendly” countries in Africa and Latin America, but Europe is the largest importer of Ukrainian grain and this is a major source of foreign income for Kiev, Putin said. Ukraine is an important grain producer.
Putin also accused Kiev of misusing the sea routes provided for in the grain agreement for drone strikes against the Russian fleet.
For the Russian soldiers at the front, it is “undoubtedly not clear why we keep the agreement,” said the Russian ruler.
Putin will soon discuss the future of the grain deal with some African leaders who will visit Russia. Moscow is ready to provide free grain to the world’s poorest countries, he said.
The deal was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last July and will allow safe grain exports from several Ukrainian Black Sea ports.
Russia has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the grain deal. The West has not imposed sanctions on Russian grain and other food exports, but they are hampered by other restrictions on insurance, among other things.
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