Vladimir Putin called the situation in Ukraine extremely complicated obvious an attempt to prepare the population of Russia for a protracted waras its invasion enters its 10th month, writes the Financial Times.
Addressing security officials on Tuesday, the Russian president admitted to difficulties in four regions of Ukrainepartially occupied by Russian forces, saying the work was “difficult”.
Putin annexed four regions of eastern and southern Ukraine in September in an attempt to secure Russia’s gains on the ground and discourage Western support for Kiev.
But the move backfired spectacularly, as a counter-offensive by Ukraine, backed by supplies of advanced Western weapons, has retaken territory Putin claimed was Russian. Among the Ukrainian gains is the city of Kherson, the only regional capital captured by Russia during the invasion that began in February.
“The people who live there, the citizens of Russia, are counting on your protection. And it is your duty to ensure their safety, rights and freedoms,” Putin said.
Putin’s comments noticed the second time this month when he admits that the war in Ukraine – that initially he thought it would be over in less than a week – it will last a long time time.
In early December, he told his human rights council that the invasion could be a “long process”. However, he also celebrates the territorial gains of the annexation.
Putin appears to have no intention of abandoning his maximalist goals — which essentially amounts to destroying Ukraine in its current form — even as Russia struggles to gain ground, according to former top Kremlin officials.
Russia has repeatedly said it is open to peace talks with Kiev, but only if all its demands are met.
The United States and its European allies continue to support Ukrainewhich made the recovery of its lost territory a mandatory prerequisite for any negotiations.
“I would venture to say it things could be much less complicated for Russians in Ukraine, they leave and take their troops out of the countryU.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday.
“Aside from that, which clearly doesn’t appear to be something Putin is willing to commit to as an idea to ease problems in Ukraine, we will continue to make sure we can support Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself.”
Putin also stressed that Russia’s domestic crackdown on dissent and greater preparedness for possible threats will continue.
Russia has made it illegal to “discredit the military” – essentially any unauthorized criticism of the war – while Putin has declared martial law in the four annexed regions and raised alert levels in eight other provinces bordering Ukraine.
“Places where citizens gather, strategic sites and transport and energy infrastructure must be under constant surveillance,” Putin said See you Tuesday.
“Agencies for counterintelligence, including military counterintelligence, must be fully prepared and concentratedPutin added.
“The actions of Western intelligence services must be severely curtailed. Traitors, spies and saboteurs must be exposed promptly.”
Also, him called on FSB border guards to protect Russia’s borders, including those in annexed regionsthat Putin tried to seize earlier this year, writes Fox News.
Russian troops have not only failed to advance into the regions in recent months, but also lost significant ground in Ukraine in early September as Russian troops were forced to withdraw.
Putin called his troops and said it was their “duty” to protect Russian citizens in the annexed regions. “We will continue to supply the new units with modern equipment and armamentsas well as experienced staffHe added.
But Western defense officials have long pointed out Russia’s inability to supply its troops and for months there have been reports of inadequate training of soldiers.
Since then, Putin’s forces have faltered on the front lines, though brutal fighting continues in areas like Bakhmut in eastern Donetsk.
On Tuesday, the British Ministry of Defense estimated this Ukrainian forces have recaptured 54% of territory captured by Russia since 24 February 2022 and noted that Russian forces now occupy only 18% of Ukraine, including Crimea.
Instead Russia relies on air campaigns against civilian infrastructure and electrical networks.
Putin’s comments on Tuesday are one of the few times he has publicly admitted that his war in Ukraine is not going according to plan and urged his security services to work harder.
“Today’s rapidly changing global situation and the emergence of new threats and challenges place high demands on the entire system of Russian security services,” he said. “This means you need to significantly improve your performance in key areas and make the most of your operational, technical and personnel potential.”
