KYIV: Overnight, while shelling demolished homes in the eastern Donetsk area, Russian forces fired cruise missiles toward the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, killing at least six people and injuring more than a dozen more, according to local officials. The military spokesperson for Ukraine reported increasing aircraft attacks by Russian forces during the current 15-month conflict, which coincided with minimal counteroffensive success for Ukrainian forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin alternated between threats of a new Russian offensive to seize Ukrainian land and statements about the Kremlin's readiness for peace talks. He claimed that Ukraine had suffered "catastrophic" losses in its counteroffensive, stating that Ukraine's efforts to launch a large-scale operation on June 4 had failed, resulting in a higher casualty count for Ukraine compared to Russia. These assertions, however, were unable to be independently confirmed.
According to Putin, Russia only lost 54 tanks whereas Ukraine lost 160 battle tanks and more than 300 other armoured vehicles. According to him, a sizable number of the Western armoured vehicles provided to Ukraine were lost due to armour losses in Ukraine. To stop additional Ukrainian intrusions and bombardment of Russian border regions, Putin proposed that Russia may create a "sanitary zone" along its border with Ukraine.
When asked about the depth of Russia's potential incursion into Ukraine, Putin responded evasively, indicating that it would depend on the emerging situation and their plans. He mentioned that Russian troops had previously been near Kyiv during a failed attempt to capture the Ukrainian capital in the early stages of the conflict. Putin also blamed Ukraine for the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, denying Russia's involvement and emphasizing the detrimental consequences for the territories under Russian control.
Putin placed the responsibility for ending the hostilities in Ukraine on the United States, stating that the fighting would cease if the U.S. and NATO stopped supplying weapons to Ukraine. He claimed that Russian and Ukrainian negotiators had drafted a peace agreement in March 2022, but it was rejected by Kyiv under Western pressure. Putin expressed Russia's willingness to resume talks.
Regarding mobilization, Putin did not rule out a new wave of mobilization based on the evolving military situation but stated that it was unnecessary at the moment. He highlighted the increased production output of Russia's defense industries, emphasizing the significant growth in the past year.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with increased Russian attacks, Ukrainian counteroffensives, and a war of words between Putin and Ukrainian officials. The conflict's resolution continues to rely on diplomatic efforts, with the involvement of international stakeholders, particularly the United States.
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