Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.
Sheikh Qassem: The government’s latest decision [on the disarmament of the Resistance] is non-charter-based, and if the government continues down this path, it is not faithful to Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Putin hails military advances, sets new goals for op. in Ukraine

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Dec 2024 17:53
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

The Russian head of State announced that Russian forces had "liberated 189 settlements" and currently hold the strategic initiative along the front line.

Listen
  • x
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board at the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP)
    Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board at the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow, Russia, Monday, December 16, 2024. (AP)

Speaking at the annual Defense Ministry board meeting on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reflected on the year's military developments and outlined objectives to bolster the country's defense capabilities.

The meeting marked a pivotal moment for Russia as it navigates an evolving global landscape and ongoing military operations in Ukraine.

Key Achievements in Ukraine

Putin lauded 2024 as a decisive year in Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine.

He announced that Russian forces had "liberated 189 settlements" and currently hold the strategic initiative along the front line.

The Russian president credited the military's successes to the "professionalism and courage" of its soldiers and the resilience of the country's defense industry.

"I want to sincerely thank our heroes — soldiers, and officers — who fight selflessly on the front lines, as well as the personnel of the Ministry of Defense, the National Guard, and special services," Putin said.

"They carry out even the most difficult tasks without sparing themselves or their lives for victory and for the Motherland."

Read more: Kiev loses up to 540 soldiers in clashes with Russian forces

Putin also accused the US of prolonging the war by providing Ukraine with weapons, funds, and military advisors, adding that these actions were part of a broader strategy by Washington "to weaken our country and inflict a strategic defeat."

Expanding Defense Capabilities

Related News

US building 'lots of' hypersonic missiles: Trump

Belarus completes Oreshnik launchers, prepares transfer to Russia

Putin stressed the importance of enhancing the combat readiness of Russia's Armed Forces.

Key initiatives included the mass production of the Oreshnik missile system, which has been combat-tested in Ukraine, and a significant increase in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

He also highlighted the necessity of creating a centralized hub for processing intelligence and coordinating tactical responses.

"Now, due to the introduction of advanced developments in the defense industry, it is necessary to form a single information space as soon as possible, combining intelligence and destruction tools at the strategic, operational, and tactical management level," Putin said.

Global Tensions and US Accusations

Addressing the global military-political climate, Putin described it as "challenging and unstable," citing ongoing violence in the Middle East and potential conflicts elsewhere.

He accused the US of destabilizing international security frameworks by expanding NATO's influence in the Asia-Pacific region and preparing to deploy ground-based missiles in Europe and Asia.

"The US imposes its so-called 'rules' on the international community, constantly changing and manipulating them as it sees fit," the Russian leader said. "For them, the only stable rule is that there are no rules."

Read more: Putin declares a 'new world order' is emerging

Nuclear Policy and Arms Race

Putin reaffirmed Russia's commitment to its nuclear deterrence policy, dismissing accusations of "nuclear saber-rattling."

However, he warned that Russia would abandon self-imposed restrictions on deploying medium-range missiles if the United States proceeded with similar deployments.

"Given the growing geopolitical tension, we are forced to take additional measures to ensure the security of Russia and our allies," Putin said.

"We do this carefully and thoughtfully, without getting drawn into a full-scale arms race to the detriment of the socio-economic development of our country."

Looking Ahead

Putin called for vigilance, unity, and sustained efforts to ensure Russia's security in an increasingly volatile world.

He concluded by expressing gratitude to the Armed Forces, defense ministry personnel, and special services for their contributions to safeguarding the nation.

Read more: Russia developing, economy growing despite sanctions, Putin says

  • Oreshnik
  • Putin
  • Ukraine
  • Russian Armed Forces
  • Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Almost instantly after the Helsinki Accords were signed, organisations sprouted to document purported violations, whose findings were fed to overseas embassies for international amplification. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

How ‘Human Rights’ became a Western weapon

  • Opinion
  • 23 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025
Launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen toward the occupied Palestinian territories. (YAF military media)

Yemeni Forces announce firing hypersonic missile at Al-Lydd Airport

  • Politics
  • 22 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS