Russian president Vladimir Putin expects significant increases in the cash payments of the families of deceased soldiers, as those who could be injured in the end of his career in his “special operation” in Ukraine – the last sign of the bloody casualties he takes on his forces.
Putin spoke at length about the specific amounts in cash and what they could be used for in his latest mixed speech – his first remarks trying to justify the invasion of Ukraine after announcing it more than a week ago.
He said up to 5 million rubles ($ 45,000 at current exchange rates after the fall in the currency) would be paid to the families of the dead Russian soldiers – after the Russian government finally confirmed the victims and said more than 500 of their forces were died. Ukrainian estimates for the killed Russian soldiers are far higher.
“Unfortunately, we have losses and it is our duty to support the families of our soldiers who are fighting for our people, the people of Russia“Putin said in a televised speech on Thursday, the eighth day of the invasion, that he described Ukrainians defending their homeland as” extreme gangsters. “
He commented on his country’s military aid program, even when he called the operation in Ukraine “successful” and said “all tasks are being solved successfully”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced an increase in cash payments to the families of fallen Russian soldiers involved in the invasion of Ukraine. He also announced payments to those who can no longer serve due to injuries. This comes after Russia said more than 500 of its forces had been killed in what Putin called a “successful” operation.
The invasion sparked a wave of international sanctions and a huge vote to condemn it at the UN.
“All the family members of all the fallen soldiers they will receive will receive insurance payments and each member of their families will receive financial compensation,” Putin said in a virtual meeting with his security council.
“But I also think it is necessary to set additional payments to the military and military and other forces involved in this operation, amounting to 5 million rubles,” he said in his last mixed speech, translated from Russian and broadcast from Sky News.
He then outlined specific payments to the wounded – amid an abundance of videos of burning and destroyed Russian vehicles, even against the background of Russia’s prolonged bombings of Ukrainian cities and towns.
“All servicemen involved in this operation will also receive additional payments, insurance payments, plus compensation for any injuries, if a soldier can not continue his military service as a result of this operation, they will receive a payment of 2.9 million rubles and this has already been introduced into law, “Putin said.
Putin stood for a moment of silence during his televised speeches. The members of his security council participated by magnification, so he looked alone. Sky News broadcast the speech along with photos of burned Russian vehicles
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lieutenant General Valery Zaluzhny: “Soldiers of the 93rd OMBR Kholodny Yar captured two Russian occupiers from unit 91701 of the Yampol Motorized Rifle Regiment”
An image posted on the Internet appears to show Russians captured by Ukrainian soldiers.
“I also believe that we need to provide additional payments to the staff of the Minister of Defense and to any wounded personnel in the amount of 3 million rubles ($ 27,000). I would like to emphasize again that our officers and soldiers are fighting for Russia for a peaceful life for the citizens of Donbass in order to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine so that we do not have anyone threatening us on our borders, including threatening us with nuclear weapons.
This comes after Russia finally confirmed 500 wounded and 1,500 wounded – Ukraine said Russian casualties were far higher and Ukrainian defense officials put the figure at 9,000.
Putin stood at the end of his zoom session with other officials and observed a minute of silence in honor of the dead.
“We are proud of our military. We will remember our fallen comrades, we will do everything to support their families, their children to support their education. And I asked you to honor them with a minute of silence, “he said.
It comes amid a series of anecdotal signs that members of Putin’s invasion force are young, under-trained or in some cases uninformed that they will take part in an invasion of their neighboring country, where many Russians have families.
A Pentagon employee said On Tuesday, some groups of Russians surrendered or even sabotaged their vehicles – one of the possible causes of the stopped convoy of Russian equipment north of Kyiv.
Ukraine is trying to encourage them to give up the battle by offering young soldiers home calls to their mothers and even offering tea to a surrendered soldier.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video: “Our military, our border guards, our territorial defense, even ordinary farmers capture the Russian military every day.
“All the prisoners say only one thing: they do not know why they are here. Despite the fact that there are dozens of times more of them, the morale of the enemy is constantly deteriorating.
A Pentagon spokesman, Adm. John Kirby spoke of Russia’s challenges on CNN on Thursday, even as Russia made territorial gains with its brutal attack.
“We do not have perfect visibility for Mr Putin’s planning, but our assessment is that the Russians are confused, disappointed, withdrawn, delayed by strong and determined Ukrainian resistance,” he said.
“We also believe that they stumbled and took the wrong steps. They have problems with logistics and maintenance. “They run out of fuel, run out of food for some of their soldiers, that they were surprised by the way and the efficiency with which Ukrainians defend their cities and their people,” he added.