The frontlines in Russia's special military operation in Ukraine have barely shifted in 2023, despite a massively publicized Ukrainian counteroffensive earlier this year.
But fighting in the country has remained intense, and now Russian sources are reporting that the Russian Armed Forces have advanced into "more favorable positions."
"Our servicemen are acting competently and decisively, occupying a more favorable position and expanding their zones of control in all directions," said Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu on Friday during a briefing with top Russian military personnel.
Shoigu added that Russian forces in Ukraine are "effectively and firmly inflicting fire damage on the Ukrainian Armed Forces," and noted that Ukraine's combat capabilities were "significantly reduced" following its counteroffensive earlier this year.
Ukraine's counteroffensive launched in June after months of highly publicized preparations has stalled in Ukraine's southern and southeastern fronts without significant progress. This is despite massive shipments of Western weapons and training by Western advisors for Ukrainian troops. Hopes for a breakthrough are fading as winter draws near, making significant military movements problematic.
To support Russian gains, President Vladimir Putin issued a decree to boost troop numbers by as much as 15 percent, or around 170,000 new soldiers....<<<Read More>>>...