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Russia lays out plans to continue its large-scale invasion of Ukraine until 2025. Photo/REUTERS
MOSCOW – Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has outlined Moscow’s plans regarding its war in Ukraine.
He said special military operations — the term used for a full-scale invasion — into Ukraine would continue until at least 2025.
Speaking to the Russian Defense Ministry Council on Tuesday, Shoigu said he had ambitious plans to increase the effectiveness of his troops, especially elite airborne units (VDV).
However, there was one part of his speech that received special attention and was translated by Ukrainian Interior Ministry Advisor Anton Gerashchenko.
Shoigu said: “The cynical actions carried out by Western countries and their lackeys in Kyiv are only pushing Ukraine towards total destruction.”
“In a situation like this, we continue to build the strength of the armed forces. In particular, by supplying modern weapons and increasing troop training, taking into account the experience of special military operations,” continued Shoigu, as quoted by the Kyiv Post, Thursday (28/9/2023).
Shoigu’s claims to supply his troops with modern weaponry and increased training are disputed by Russian troops themselves, where the reality of the situation they face frequently emerges in telephone calls intercepted and released by Ukrainian Military Intelligence.
Most recently, a Russian soldier claimed his unit was armed with machine guns from 1985 and said they did not have enough ammunition in the face of devastating Ukrainian artillery fire that recently killed three of his comrades.
Shoigu, in his further presentation, said: “Consistent implementation of steps in the action plan until 2025 will enable the planned goals to be achieved.”
Shoigu did not specify which “planned goal” he was referring to. However, that is likely the aim of what the Kremlin calls Russia’s “special military operations” in Ukraine.
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