Shoigu reported to Putin on the preparation of the Russian army for an offensive
Not only the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but also the Russian army is preparing for an offensive, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a Security Council meeting.
The head of the military department reported to President Vladimir Putin that there was a lull at the front - the Ukrainian side was regrouping its forces for new attempts to break through the Russian defense line.
“Naturally, the enemy still has the forces to conduct further offensive actions, they remain, despite the large number of losses... Of course, preparations are underway for further offensive actions. From our side, too,” Shoigu said.
Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev announced the losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces – 13 personnel , as well as equipment – 246 tanks, 595 armored vehicles, 279 MLRS, etc.
“Out of 246 tanks, 13 are Western equipment... [In total, Ukraine] was supplied with 81 Western-made tanks. Of the 81 Western tanks, 13 were destroyed... Of the 109 Bradley vehicles, 18 were destroyed,” Shoigu said.
In his opinion, the West is not ready to cover the loss of equipment.
“It is planned to deliver 2023 tanks in 250, including about 120 Leopards, 31 Abrams tanks and the remains that they collect around the world, these are 95 T-72 tanks. These are the supply plans.
Armored combat vehicles. 983 units are planned for delivery this year...
In fact, everything that was developed by the Soviet Union at one time and in the countries of the former socialist camp, this resource is practically exhausted, just as the resource that Ukraine had is exhausted...
The quantity that will be delivered in 2023 and has already been delivered will not significantly affect the course of hostilities. And if we add to this that the bulk of armored vehicles, armored fighting vehicles are from the past, and somewhere from the generation before last, which, on the one hand, have weak degrees of protection and are not as effective as modern equipment, we do not see any or threats,” Shoigu assured.
He also announced the build-up of the Russian military group in the Northern Military District zone.
“114 thousand people have been recruited - this is under a direct contract, plus 52 thousand are volunteers... We are forming reserves... We have only supplied 3786 units of equipment for the formation of these two armies and the army corps today...
To give a complete impression: per day we receive 1336 people for contract... In fact, we receive every essence of the regiment... On average, we receive 112 units every day. This applies to both modernized equipment and new equipment, so here we have gained serious momentum and we do not see any risks of disrupting the formation of the reserve,” Shoigu asserts.
Shoigu reported to Putin on the Russian army's preparations for an offensive.