New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his military leaders on the same day that his forces fired another round of missiles into Ukraine’s infrastructure. BBC reported that Putin spent most of his Friday at the headquarters of the “special military operation” brainstorming options for Russia’s next move.
It comes as some Ukrainian military authorities believed Russia was plotting an attack on Ukraine, maybe early next year.
Ukrainian authorities on Saturday said that all non-critical infrastructure in Odesa was left without power after Russian drones hit two energy facilities, adding it could take months to repair the damage.
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The footage showed that Putin was joined by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Armed Forces Chief Valeriy Gerasimov in Friday’s meeting.
“We will listen to the commanders in each operational direction, and I would like to hear your proposals on our immediate and medium-term actions,” the Russian leader was seen telling military officials on state TV, BBC reported.
The presence of Gen Gerasimov puts a stop to rumours that he had been fired from his position. The 67-year-old has faced harsh criticism from hawkish commentators who accuse him of being overly cautious.
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According to BBC, the photos released by state media showed Air Force general Sergei Surovikin – who was appointed as Russia’s commander in Ukraine in October – was also present at the meeting.
Ukrainian forces have made a number of significant advances in recent months, including retaking Kherson, the only major city captured by Russian forces so far.
BBC reported that following the meeting commander of Ukraine’s military, Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi claimed that Moscow could launch a new offensive in early 2023. He warned that Russia was preparing around 200,000 troops for the attack.
“I have no doubt they will have another go at Kyiv,” he added. “I know how many combat units I have right now, how many combat units I have to create by the end of the year – and, most importantly, not to touch them in any way now. No matter how hard it is.”
He further added that the attack could originate “in the direction of Kyiv” and may be launched from Belarus.
The Russian troops in February this year advanced toward the Ukrainian capital Kyiv after crossing the border from Belarus.
While the country’s leader Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly denied that his forces will join in the invasion, thousands of Russian troops are currently in the country taking part in what Moscow’s defence ministry called “intensive combat training”.
Putin is expected to visit his Belarusian counterpart in Minsk on Monday.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that power had been restored to nearly six million people after the latest wave of Russian strikes hit the country’s energy grid.
Since the round of strikes on power infrastructure began on 10 October, Russia has fired over 1,000 missiles and Iranian-made attack drones.