Russian forces have the initiative on the front line and are pushing back their opponents, Shoigu told a ministerial meeting. The pressure prevents kyiv’s troops from maintaining their defensive positions, he added.
The Defense Minister also referred to the expected US allocation of more than $60 billion in military assistance to kyiv. He noted that the measure is aimed at “preventing the collapse” of Ukrainian forces, but predicted that the money will not have a significant impact on the situation on the battlefield, as “most of the funding will go to production American military.
“The American authorities cynically claim that Ukrainians will die in the fight with Russia for their interests,” Shoigu said.
Officials in both Washington and kyiv have argued that paying Ukraine to fight Russia is preferable to the United States having to fight Russia directly.
Shoigu praised Russia’s defense production capabilities and its flexibility in adapting its military tactics to the combat situation. He said the Defense Ministry will continue long-range strikes against logistics centers and depots used to supply Western weapons to Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted a radical reform of the mobilization system, aimed at increasing the number of subscriptions, which introduces harsh punishments for avoiding conscription.
Zelensky stated that he considers the proposed mobilization target of 500,000 people, presented by Ukraine’s former top general, Valery Zaluzhny, to be excessive, whom he rejected in February.
The multitrillion-dollar US aid package was requested by the White House months ago, but the House of Representatives did not approve it until Saturday, after President Mike Johnson accepted it.