President Vladimir Putin brushed off a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive with a grin on Friday but warned that Russia would respond more firmly if its troops were subjected to additional pressure.
Putin, speaking at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in the Uzbek city of Samarkand, described the invasion as a necessary measure to thwart what he described as a Western plot to divide Russia.
He stated that Moscow was in no rush to enter Ukraine. And its objectives remained the same.
“The authorities of Kiev announced that they have initiated and are actively executing a counteroffensive operation. Let’s observe how it develops and concludes “Putin stated while grinning.
It was his first public statement about the defeat of his forces in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine a week ago that sparked particularly harsh public criticism from Russian military analysts.
In retaliation, Russia attacked Ukraine’s infrastructure, including a reservoir dam and energy supply, and Putin warned that the strikes may intensify.
“In recent times, the Russian military forces have struck a few damaging blows. Assume that they are a warning. If the situation continues to deteriorate, the response will become more severe, “he stated.
Putin added that Russia was steadily gaining authority over other regions of Ukraine.
When asked if the “special military operation” required modification, he responded, “The plan is not subject to change.”
Putin stated, “The General Staff considers one thing vital and another thing secondary, but the primary mission remains intact and is being carried out.” The primary objective is the complete freedom of Donbass.
The Donbas consists of two primarily Russian-speaking eastern Ukrainian provinces: Luhansk, which is now totally under the authority of Russian and Russian-backed rebel troops, and Donetsk, which is partially under their control.
In addition to Crimea, which it took in 2014 and believes to be part of Russia, Russia now controls around one-fifth of Ukraine, including large portions of the southern provinces of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
Mahnur is MS(development Studies)Student at NUST University, completed BS Hons in Eng Literature. Content Writer, Policy analyst, Climate Change specialist, Teacher, HR Recruiter.
