Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia is losing soldiers and equipment near Avdiivka faster and on a larger scale than, for example, near Bakhmut. According to the Ukrainian leader, the political goal of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is to show ‘at least some tactical result’ before announcing elections in Russia, as he revealed in his evening video address.
Zelensky talked about today’s briefing: reports were presented by intelligence, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Minister of Defense.
“In general, [they discussed] the situation on the front, specific directions. Shells, equipment – everything for the front. Avdiivka, Kup’yansk, Bakhmut. Also, southern directions,” he reported.
The President noted that there are ‘very intense’ Russian assaults on the front, especially in the Donetsk region.
“We must understand that Putin’s current political goal is very cynical and specific – he is willing to sacrifice as many of his own people as necessary because he wants to show some tactical result by the first half of December, when he plans to announce his elections. Russia is already losing soldiers and equipment under Avdiivka faster and on a larger scale than, for example, near Bakhmut. Resisting this pressure is extremely difficult. And every one of our soldiers holding positions, every one carrying out combat tasks right there, deserves our extraordinary gratitude. They are true heroes!” – said Zelensky.
According to him, the more Russian forces are destroyed now near Avdiivka, the worse the overall situation will be for the occupiers, the overall course of the war against Ukraine.