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
