Answering the questions of Russian war correspondents about the latest developments in the war at the Kremlin Palace, Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled that a “sanitary zone” could be created in Ukraine after the attacks on Belgorod. Putin also made a claim about the US and the West sending “uranium ammunition” to Ukraine, and said, “If necessary, we will use what we have.”
“WE ARE SLOWLY METHODICALLY PURIFYING”
Stating that the purpose of Russia’s special military operation against Ukraine varies according to the current situation, Putin said, “But in general, of course, we will not change anything. The goals set are fundamental to us. There is no change in principle in terms of the targets we set at the beginning of the operation.” used the phrases.
Putin said that they carried out the demilitarization of Ukraine gradually and methodically, moreover, the Ukrainian defense industry had not been producing for a long time, and weapons were brought to the country from abroad.
“UNSUCCESSFUL IN ATTACK AGAINST UKRAINE”
Pointing out that the Kiev administration started a large-scale counter-attack as of June 4, Putin said, “This large-scale attack started on the Vremevskiy ledge, in the direction of Shahtar and Zaporizhia. It was launched precisely by the use of strategic reserves. It is currently ongoing. The enemy was not successful in any area. They have huge losses.” said.
Pointing out that the Russian army lost 54 tanks and the Ukrainian army more than 160 tanks and 360 armored vehicles in these clashes, Putin said that 25-30 percent of the military technical vehicles lost by Kiev were brought from abroad.
Blaming the Ukrainian side for the explosion of the Kahovka Dam, Putin said that Russia had nothing to do with the explosion of the dam, because the consequences of the explosion made the situation difficult in the regions under Russian control.
Recalling that similar attacks to the Kremlin Palace in Moscow and to Russia with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks were also carried out on the Russian military base of Hmeymim in Syria, Putin said, “We learned to deal with them quite quickly through various means and ways. It’s not easy sometimes, but it’s a solvable job.” he said.
“THE PROCESS OF STRENGTHENING THE RUSSIA BORDER CONTINUES RAPIDLY”
Pointing out that the attacks carried out by Ukraine with sabotage groups, rockets and UAVs to the Belgorod region, which is located on the Russian border with Ukraine, continue, Russian leader Putin stated that the process continues rapidly to strengthen the border.
Pointing out that the attacks with UAVs could continue even if the artillery attacks from here are resisted, Putin pointed out that they will create a security area on Ukrainian soil if necessary to protect the region.
“If these attacks continue, we will consider the issue of creating some kind of sanitary zone on the territory of Ukraine at a distance from which it will not be possible to reach Russian territory,” Putin said. he said.
Emphasizing that the idea of establishing the said region in Ukraine exists, Putin said that this will not be implemented immediately and that it depends on the development of the situation in the region.
Putin underlined that Ukraine is trying to divert Russia’s attention by attacking the Belgorod region.
“THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER AND CONTRACTED SOLDIERS IS INCREASING”
Stating that there is no need for a new mobilization declaration in the country, Putin emphasized that the number of those who join the army voluntarily and under contract has increased. Reminding that 300 thousand people were recruited into the army with partial mobilization, Putin noted that the number of contracted soldiers who joined the army only with volunteers was 156 thousand, and that only 9,500 contracted soldiers were recruited last week.
-“We responded to the violation of our red lines with the operation in Ukraine”
Asked what Russia’s response was to violating some of its red lines, Putin said:
“Special military operation (in Ukraine) is the answer to crossing these lines. This is the most important. We have said many times that we are ready for negotiations. Ultimately, they pushed us to keep the war they started in 2014 going.”
“WE ALSO HAVE ATTRACTED URANIUM AMMUNITION”
Putin also touched upon the US’s shipment of weakened uranium ammunition to Ukraine, emphasizing that they also have the same ammunition and that they will use them if necessary.
Defending that the West has no more ammunition in their arsenals, so they decided to give their remaining depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine, Putin also said that the US only had ammunition left in South Korea and Israel in order to send it to Ukraine.
Putin also stated that the number of ammunition used by Ukraine against the Russian army is more than the number of daily ammunition produced in the USA.
“WE MAKE THE BLACK SEA GRAIN INITIATIVE AGREEMENT FOR OUR FRIENDLY COUNTRIES”
Russian President Putin said that although Russian grain exit is not allowed, they made the Black Sea Grain Initiative agreement not for the benefit of Ukraine, but for friendly countries in Africa and Latin America.
Also, answering the question of what kind of plan Russia has for the counterattack against Ukraine, Putin said, “We will look at what the situation will be and take further steps based on that. When we find it necessary to do something, we have different plans depending on the situation that will develop.” used the phrases.
(AA)