Moscow (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin praised this Friday the work of the “heroes” fighting in Ukraine and the rearmament of his country on the occasion of the day dedicated to the armed forces, on the eve of the second anniversary of the start of the military offensive in neighboring country.
The United States, meanwhile, said it would announce new sanctions against Russia this Friday, although the multiple restrictions in place for two years have not led to an end to Moscow's military operation.
The sanctions would affect more than 500 companies that support Russia's “war machine,” a US Treasury Department spokeswoman said.
Every year on February 23, Russia celebrates Defenders of the Fatherland Day, which this year coincides with several military successes by Russian forces in Ukraine.
On the other hand, the Ukrainian army, weakened by the blockage of American aid shipments, the failure of its counteroffensive in the northern summer and a worsening ammunition shortage, is in an “extremely difficult” situation, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
A week ago, his army had to capitulate and abandon the city of Avdiivka on the Eastern Front, which had been captured by the Russians.
In an interview broadcast on Fox News, Republicans' favorite channel, on Thursday, Zelensky called on the US Congress to approve another aid package for his country. This party is blocking the approval of a $60 billion endowment for Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin during the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier next to the Kremlin walls on February 23, 2024 in Moscow © Alexander Kazakov / Pool/AFP
In a video broadcast on Friday, Putin solemnly paid tribute to the “participants of the special operation” in Ukraine, who he said were “fighting for truth and justice” by “defending Russia.” “You are the true heroes of our people,” the Russian leader said.
Rearmament
Like every year, Putin will visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the foot of the Kremlin walls.
In recent days, the president has already made numerous gestures of support for the army, awarding soldiers or flying in a strategic fighter as his country focused on the war effort, leading to a huge increase in the production of military materiel and the recruitment of soldiers in the hundreds of thousands Soldiers.
“In recent years, the enterprises of the military-industrial complex have multiplied the production and supply of the most sought-after weapons to the troops,” he celebrated this Friday, according to a video released by the Russian presidency.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during the honoring ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier next to the Kremlin walls on February 23, 2024 in Moscow © Alexander Kazakov / Pool/AFP
In his speech, he highlighted the deliveries of missiles, drones, armored vehicles, artillery and air defense elements. “Based on our current combat experience, we will continue to strengthen the armed forces,” he defended.
Three weeks before the presidential elections, which will take place on March 15, 16 and 17, Putin is looking at the second anniversary of the start of the offensive from a favorable position, since 2022 was marked by the failure of the offensive against Kiev and several retreats humiliating.
But the capture of Avdiivka gave him the opportunity to present himself as a winner.
– Deadly bombing in Odessa –
On Thursday, the Russian army also claimed further advances in the east with the capture of the village of Pobeda and advances near surrounding towns.
Meanwhile, the bombings against Ukraine continue. The Ukrainian General Staff announced this Friday that there were attacks with Russian drones and missiles in various parts of the country during the night and that the air defense shot down 23 drones.
The position of the armed forces in Ukraine © Cléa PÉCULIER, Valentin RAKOVSKY, Sophie RAMIS / AFP
A nighttime bomb attack in Odessa, southern Ukraine, claimed three lives, police said.
According to US sources, Russia would have suffered up to 120,000 casualties in Ukraine, but according to official figures, it recruited almost half a million soldiers in 2023 and about 53,000 in January this year.
On the other hand, Ukraine's problems are mounting as its army was decimated in the counteroffensive in the summer of 2023 and it is failing to strengthen its ranks.
At the front, exhausted soldiers are suffering from a shortage of artillery ammunition as there are delays in European and questionable American aid.
“We don’t have the weapons they have. You know, they have factories that produce.” [armas], and we? “We are begging for weapons,” said Oleksii, an infantryman near Avdiivka.
© 2024 AFP