Russia aims to achieve all goals of special military operation in Ukraine: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russian armed forces currently maintain full strategic initiative in Ukraine, and that the objective of achieving all goals of the special military operation remains unchanged.

"We must ensure the unconditional fulfillment of all goals set for the troops in the course of the special military operation," Putin said during a meeting with the leaders of the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Armed Forces and commanders of troop groups in the special military operation zone in St. Petersburg.

Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov delivered a report at the meeting.

Russian troops continue to conduct active combat operations, advancing along nearly all axes, according to Gerasimov.

The West Group of Forces is completing the defeat of Ukrainian forces in the southern quarters of Kupyansk and is advancing successfully in the Krasny Liman direction in eastern Ukraine, Gerasimov said.

The most intense combat operations are taking place in the sector of responsibility of the Central Group of Forces -- along the Krasnoarmeysk (known in Ukrainian as Pokrovsk) and Dnepropetrovsk directions in eastern Ukraine, Gerasimov said.

Although the Ukrainian command has redeployed its most combat-ready units from other sectors to halt Russian advance there, the formations and units of the Central Group of Forces are continuing their offensive, he added. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Tuesday night that a total of 174 combat engagements had taken place along the front line on the day.

Russian forces carried out 46 airstrikes on Tuesday, dropping 82 guided aerial bombs and launching 2,229 kamikaze drones, as well as 3,730 attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements, according to the report.

Ukrainian forces repelled six assault attempts by Russian troops in the directions of North Slobozhanskyi in eastern Ukraine and Kursk in western Russia, and repelled four attacks in the Kupiansk direction, where three battles continue, said the General Staff.

In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces attempted to advance 37 times on Tuesday, attacking Ukrainian positions in multiple locations, the report said, adding one battle continues in the direction.

Russia aims to achieve all goals of special military operation in Ukraine: Putin

The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.

Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.

The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.

"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.

The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.

Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.

"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.

Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near