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Russia-Ukraine war: Putin tells Russia his war objectives are unchanged

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his first major news conference since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, stated that peace with Ukraine would only happen when Russia achieves its objectives.

He combined the event with his annual “direct line” phone-in and discussed the “special military operation in Ukraine,” emphasizing Russian sovereignty and a strong economy despite the war. Putin listed the objectives as “denazification, demilitarization, and its neutral status” for Ukraine. He revealed that Russia has 617,000 troops in Ukraine, with additional voluntary recruits, and mentioned losses without providing specific numbers.

Putin addressed Ukraine’s recent military success near the Dnipro River, attributing it to a last-ditch attempt to reach Crimea. He suggested Russian forces withdrew to wooded areas to protect soldiers and claimed Ukraine’s motives were politically driven to seek more military funding from the West. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned that if Putin succeeds in Ukraine, further aggression might follow.

Putin asserted that Russian forces have the upper hand on the front line in Ukraine, despite economic sanctions and political isolation. He expressed confidence in Russia’s ability to “move forward” despite these challenges.

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Ukraine war: Zelensky says fortifying front lines must be accelerated

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized the urgent need to strengthen defenses along the front line following meetings with commanders in key areas of tension in the south and east. Russian forces are attempting to encircle the eastern town of Avdiivka, targeting southern regions like Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. President Zelensky, in his nightly address, highlighted the importance of accelerating the construction of structures in sectors requiring reinforcement. Despite Ukraine’s air force claiming success in downing 18 out of 25 Russian drones and one cruise missile, the situation remains challenging, especially with temperatures dropping below freezing.

Zelensky acknowledged that winter introduces a new phase of the war, and he pledged “maximum attention” to eastern towns under fire, the Donetsk region, and the defensive line in the north-east. Concerns are rising about the possibility of a “frozen” conflict despite ongoing fierce fighting. The failure of Ukraine’s counter-offensive since the summer to achieve desired gains has raised questions about frontline morale. The military reported repelling 20 attacks near Avdiivka, which is almost encircled by Russian forces. The town’s industrial hub faces threats, with Russian forces aiming to seize a nearby coke plant.

In the south-east, Russian forces are attempting to regain lost areas around Robotyne, but Ukrainian officials claim to maintain positions on the east bank of the River Dnipro. Zelensky expressed dissatisfaction with casualties and the insufficient supply of weapons. Despite facing challenges, Ukrainian forces managed to regain control of the village of Krynky after crossing the Dnipro, facing relentless Russian attacks. Russia’s defense ministry reported repelling a Ukrainian naval attack on occupied Crimea via the Black Sea, while parts of the peninsula were placed under a state of emergency due to storm-related deaths.

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Russia Enlists Prisoners for Ukraine Invasion Forces

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The Russian defense ministry has reportedly taken over the practice of recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine, assuming the role previously held by the Wagner mercenary group. These units are informally known as Storm-Z, with the letter Z symbolizing Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” against Ukraine and referencing the Russian word “zek” for “inmate.” Similar to Wagner’s prisoner units, Storm-Z detachments are allegedly treated as expendable forces, with little regard for the well-being of their soldiers.

There are suggestions that members of other army units may be sent to Storm-Z detachments as punishment for infractions such as insubordination or drunkenness. Last year, Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as “Putin’s chef,” was permitted to recruit from prisons after significant Russian troop casualties in Ukraine. He promised inmates their freedom and expungement of their convictions after six months of service if they survived.

However, Prigozhin later publicly criticized Russia’s top military officials and died in a plane crash along with Wagner’s other commanders. The group has since disappeared from the Ukrainian battlefield, with reports indicating that the defense ministry has taken over the recruitment of inmates for the conflict.

One former Storm-Z member revealed that recruits were promised substantial payments but were sent into battle unprepared and unaware of the true situation on the front line. The Russian military has neither confirmed nor denied the use of convicts in its units, but there are multiple accounts of prisoners being sent to Storm-Z units. These accounts include a confession from the governor of Sevastopol and an interview with a convicted murderer now serving in the Russian military.

The defense ministry in Moscow acknowledged the existence of “storm units” without divulging the identity of their members. These units are tasked with breaking through intricate layers of Ukrainian defenses and are reportedly deployed without due consideration for their survival. A regular soldier who fought alongside Storm-Z members referred to them as mere “meat,” while reports suggest that soldiers from other units can be sent to Storm-Z as a form of punishment.

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