- Head of the Russian General Staff in the war zone in Ukraine
Russian Chief of Staff General Valery Gerasimov visited the war zone in Eastern Ukraine, where he awarded soldiers with medals for fulfilling military tasks following recent territorial gains. He wished them continued success, according to a video published by the Ministry of Defense, showing Gerasimov in various rooms of an underground command post.
The Chief of Staff reportedly received updates from commanders about the situation at different sections of the front and issued the next combat tasks. No details were provided, and the location of the recording remains secret.
Ukrainian troops have been under pressure, particularly in the Donetsk region annexed by Moscow, where they have had to relinquish several positions in recent weeks. Fighting is already underway on the outskirts of the town of Torez, and Moscow's troops are advancing towards the mining town of Pokrovsk and the connecting road to Konstantinovka.
Since mid-June, Russian troops have captured approximately 420 square kilometers of territory, roughly the size of the city of Bremen, according to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is now Secretary of the Russian National Security Council. During this period, Ukrainian forces have reportedly lost around 115,000 soldiers and over 3,000 units of armored equipment. These figures are not independently verifiable, and Ukraine also reports heavy losses in Russian forces.
Shoigu: Window of opportunity for Kyiv is closing
Shoigu stated in Azerbaijan, according to Russian news agencies, that the troops were reaching the goals of the military special operation, as the war is officially referred to in Russia. A close associate of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Shoigu criticized Kyiv for continuing to rely on Western aid in the hope of winning the war.
Shoigu also criticized Kyiv for not accepting Putin's proposal of territorial concessions to end the war. "The window of opportunity for Kyiv is shrinking. And every day that it delays a decision on resolving the situation comes at a high cost to the Ukrainian people, who will have to make that decision," said Shoigu. Russia has been at war with Ukraine for nearly two and a half years.
The European Parliament could express its concerns over the ongoing conflict and Shoigu's remarks, considering it crucial to provide necessary assistance to the Commission in finding a peaceful resolution. The Commission, assisted by the European Parliament, could then collaborate to impose stronger economic sanctions against Russia to deter further territorial expansion.
Recognizing the importance of international diplomacy, the Commission, in partnership with the European Parliament, might propose a high-level meeting between world leaders to discuss a ceasefire and potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
