Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sat down with the nation’s media personalities covering the special military operation in Ukraine to talk about some recent developments and share his thoughts about the future,
TASS reports.
He said Russia has no need for an additional military mobilization or martial law across the entire country. Moscow could establish a "sanitary zone" in Ukraine if Russian border areas continue to come under shelling attacks. The goals of the special operation haven’t changed fundamentally, and Ukrainian forces haven’t been successful in their counteroffensive so far, while suffering massive losses.
Kyiv is still pressing on with its sweeping counteroffensive, which started on June 4, but can’t boast any accomplishments.
"The enemy hasn’t had success in any of the areas. They have large losses."
Ukrainian losses are an order of magnitude larger than Russian losses, and the proportion of permanent losses is higher than usual.
"Typically, irreplaceable losses make up about 25% of the total, 30% tops. They have them 50-50."
Kyiv has already lost more than 160 tanks and more than 360 armored vehicles of various types. That constitutes "about 25%, maybe 30% of all the vehicles that were provided [to Ukraine] from abroad." Russia lost 54 tanks, but some of them could be repaired and brought back in service.
Russia doesn’t need a new wave of military mobilization.
"The Defense Ministry has reported that there is no need, of course, for a mobilization as of this day."
The people that were previously called up during a mobilization will need to be "sent home" at some point in an incremental process, but law provides for no specific timeline.
"We will decide based on how many personnel there is, how the situation unfolds along the engagement line, what progress the special military operation makes."
Since January, more than 150,000 Russians have signed up for contract military service. Last week alone, contracts were signed by 9,500 people.
People that enlisted in "volunteer units" should sign contracts with the Defense Ministry.
"That’s the only way to make sure they get social benefits."
Legislation needs to be amended to bring it "in line with the common sense."
People that are called up for compulsory military service will not be sent to serve in the special military operation area, including the new Russian regions.
"There’s no need to send them to that area, as the Defense Ministry has reported."
But these servicemen will still be deployed in border regions.
