by @Slavyangrad on Telegram at Poison Frogs
Statements of Russian President, Vladimir Putin, at a meeting with Russian military correspondents (https://t.me/SLGmaps/333), PART I:
—The goals of the special operation are changing according to the current situation, but in general they remain the same.
—Russia is still determined to have the kindest relations with the former Soviet Union and with the West.
—The West is trying to use Ukraine to destabilize Russia.
—We thought we were we were part of the club, and I even floated the idea of joining NATO, but we were not even considered.
—About the events in Donbass in 2014: We did not touch [the situation] even with a finger, but we were forced to stand up for the people. We tried to negotiate sincerely.
—About Zelensky: I am surprised that a person who has Jewish blood in his veins can support neo-Nazis.
—Ukrainians “threw away” all agreements reached in March 2022 after the Russian troops withdrew from Kiev.
—Lenin is being thrown off his pedestal in Ukraine and the fascist Bandera is being placed in his place. He has been elevated to the rank of national hero.
—What is happening now in Ukraine will never suit Russia. [In Russia] there will never be anything neo-Nazi.
—Russia is gradually and methodically demilitarizing Ukraine.
—Ukraine’s military-industrial complex will soon cease to exist at all.
—About the Ukrainian offensive: This is a large-scale counteroffensive, but it has had no success in any area.
—Summarizing the results of the first almost ten days of the Ukrainian offensive: According to the president, the AFU is suffering losses, the [ratio of] irretrievable losses of Ukraine [to sanitary] are “almost 50 to 50”, 1 to 10 in favor of Russia.
—Of all the losses, they are approaching an estimate that can be called catastrophic, in terms of personnel.
—Our personnel losses will be voiced by the Defense Ministry, but we lost 54 tanks.
—About the destruction of the Kakhovskaya Hydropower Plant: Unfortunately, it thwarted the [Ukrainian] counterattack [in this area], it would have been better if they had attacked.
—The Dnepr flood disrupted the offensive of the AFU in the area, which is bad for us, because for the AFU it would have been even worse.
—Polish mercenaries are fighting on the Russian border area and are suffering heavy losses.
—Livestock graveyards and cemeteries ended up under water after the destruction of the Kakhovskaya HPP, but the problem is solvable, the chemical protection troops will help to solve the problems.
—About drone attacks on Russia: The same happened in Syria, we quickly learned how to fight, the problem here is also solvable.
—Russia will consider creating a “sanitary zone” [GB: “buffer zone”] on the territory of Ukraine in case the shelling of our regions continues. A “sanitary zone” will be created on the territory of Ukraine. Such a zone is needed in order to secure our regions. Work on this issue will soon begin.
—About Russia and Ukraine: We have a country, they have a regime.
—Overall, there is no need to introduce martial law in Russia, it is necessary to work more thoroughly on some issues.
—There is no need for additional mobilization at this time.
—the West is pumping Ukraine with weapons and is proud of it, but violates international legal acts.
—In the course of the SMO it became clear that many things are missing: UAVs, high-precision ammunition, communication means.
—The T-90 Proryv (Breakthrough) tank is the best tank in the world.
—Production has increased 2.7-fold in the main types of armaments and 10-fold in the most demanded areas.
—”Do we need to march on Kiev? If yes, we need a new mobilization, if not, we do not need it. There is no need for mobilization right now.”
—On the Ukrainian offensive: Ukraine has lost over 160 tanks and over 360 armored vehicles during this time, there are more losses that we do not see.
—All red lines have long since been crossed, they do not exist. And it was their crossing that caused the start of the special operation.
—About Ukraine’s desire to join NATO: “You want to leave – leave, but leave with what you came with.” [GB: In other words, you don’t get to take the land and the people you got by being part of the Soviet Union. You get to leave only with what you had before you got here. Frankly, this is just rhetorical. The land (some parts of it, on and off) currently referred to as Ukraine had been part and parcel of Russia for centuries, or since the inception of the state.]
—About how long the men have gone to the NWO zone: The law does not provide for specific terms, it will have to be based on the personnel, but we have decided on regular leaves, almost everyone is coming back from leave.
—The conscripts are present in Belgorod and Kursk regions, and there they have to fulfill their sacred duty—to defend the Fatherland. No one wavered, and General Lapin marched along with them with his service weapon.
—Ukraine should not exist at the expense of the Russian Federation and on the historical Russian territories, if normal relations are not built.
—Putin was asked about private military companies and how to bring them back into the legal field. The President answered that he had asked to bring everything in accord with common sense, established practice, and the law. Putin also said that the Defense Ministry was already signing contracts with all those who wish—this was the only way to ensure all social guarantees.
—We pay 300,000 rubles for shooting down an enemy plane, 100,000 for destroying a tank.
—We have a variety of military plans.
—Whether it is Bradleys or Leopards, they all burn well.
—Further direction of the SMO will depend on the outcome of the counterattack by the AFU.
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