Putin announced the absence of results of the Ukrainian counter-offensive

Kyiv cannot achieve any results in the counter-offensive; neither Western-supplied equipment nor thousands of foreign mercenaries help it in this. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with members of the Russian Security Council.

“Western curators of the Kyiv regime are clearly disappointed with the results of the so-called counter-offensive. <...> There are no results, at least not yet. Neither colossal resources, nor the supply of Western weapons, nor the dispatch of thousands of foreign mercenaries and advisers help,” he said.

Ukraine has lost tens of thousands of soldiers in “suicidal attacks,” Putin said. As a result, the mobilization resource has been almost completely exhausted in the country. “People in Ukraine increasingly have a legitimate question: for what, for whose selfish interests are their relatives and friends dying? Gradually, slowly, sobering up comes,” he added.

The head of state noted that the equipment supplied to Ukraine is on fire. According to Putin, often “according to its tactical and technical data, it is even inferior to some types of weapons still of Soviet production.”

At the same time, the West lacks the capacity to quickly replenish the consumption of equipment, the president noted. “NATO arsenals and stockpiles of old Soviet weapons in some states have already been largely depleted. Secondly, the existing production capacities in the West do not allow quickly replenishing the consumption of reserves, equipment and ammunition. Additional, and more, resources and time are needed,” Putin added.

The President admitted that Western countries could send additional pieces of equipment to Ukraine, but this would only prolong the conflict. “Yes, of course, Western weapons can be additionally supplied and thrown into battle. This, of course, causes us some damage and prolongs the conflict,” he said.

At the same time, Putin noted the professionalism of the Russian command in the special operation zone. He stressed that the soldiers and officers are doing their duty courageously and heroically.

The Russian authorities reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine began offensive operations on June 4. The Kremlin has repeatedly stated the lack of success of the Ukrainian army, and Putin stressed on June 9 that Ukraine is not succeeding in achieving its goals in any sector. On June 16, during the plenary session of the SPIEF, the president announced that the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ten times higher than the Russian ones. According to the Ministry of Defense, which was cited by Minister Sergei Shoigu in July, since the start of the counteroffensive, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost more than 26,000 people.