Ukrainian counteroffensive has begun: Putin

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Jun 2023 21:20

The Russian head of State admitted to journalists that Russia does not have enough modern weapons in its arsenal at present.

Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a statement after a meeting with participants of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council and the Council of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Heads of Government in the resort city of Sochi, Russia, Friday, June 9, 2023 (Ramil Sitdikov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on Friday that the Ukrainian "counteroffensive" in the special military operation zone has begun and that Kiev is resorting to its strategic reserves.

"Firstly, it can be stated with absolute certainty that the counteroffensive has begun and this is proved by the use of strategic reserves," Putin said.

He further said that Ukrainian forces failed to meet their goals "thanks to courage" of Russian troops and that Ukrainian armed forces suffered losses "higher than usual" in the past few days.

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🇺🇦⚔🇷🇺Putin Statement regarding the AFU
COUNTEROFFENSIVE. pic.twitter.com/YpQ2dYcFpi
— WatchMenOfGoD OnTheWall 7 (@7Watchmenofgod) June 9, 2023

"As to whether the [counteroffensive] bogged down or not, it can be said that all counteroffensive attempts made so far have failed. But the offensive potential of the troops of the Kiev regime still remains," Putin added.

Answering a question by a journalist who inquired about the low quantity of modern weapons in Russia's arsenal, Putin said: "Yes, we still do not have enough modern weapons."

"But the industry, the defense industry, the country's defense industry is developing rapidly and I am sure all the tasks facing the defense industry will certainly be solved," the President added, noting that an intensive increase in the production of modern weapons is currently underway.

On June 6, The New York Times reported that Ukrainian forces increased their artillery bombardment and ground assaults on the front, noting that an increase in strikes might be a hint that Kiev's counteroffensive has already begun, as per sources cited by NYT.

On June 8, Russian Wagner Private Military Group Yegevny Prigozhin said answering Al Mayadeen English's questions on Thursday hours after Ukrainian attacks took place in Zaporozhye that the events taking place in Ukraine forebode a Ukrainian counteroffensive as Kiev ups its efforts, as was expected.

"I think that the events that are currently taking place at the front are the beginning of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, which is currently ramping up its efforts as expected," Prigozhin told Al Mayadeen English in an audio recording.