In an interview with Russian media, President Vladimir Putin said that the Russian military is making steady progress in the process of implementing the objectives of the military operation in Ukraine.
According to Mr. Putin, the immediate goal of the Russian army in the directions of Sumy and Vovchansk is to establish a security buffer zone along the Russian border after Ukraine launched an offensive into Russia's Kursk province and continued to attack border areas.
The Russian leader said that Russian units are currently only about 10.5km away from Sumy city. However, he emphasized that Russia currently has no political plans related to Sumy city or the entire Sumy province.
Referring to the situation in other areas on the front lines, Mr. Putin revealed that the Russian army is currently 2.5-5km from the western suburbs of Kupyansk city in Kharkiv province. He also said that Ukraine's counter-attacks could not stop Russia's advance.
He also said that Russian forces had almost surrounded about 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers near Rubtsy, on the left bank of the Oskol River. According to him, Russian forces are only about 2km away from completing the siege.
According to President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army is also continuing to advance towards Slavyansk and Krasny Liman, while gaining more advantage near Dobropolye and Konstantinovka. Russian forces currently control 96% of the Konstantinovka area and are still conducting sweep operations in the remaining territory.
Mr. Putin also said that units of the Eastern Operations Group are advancing in Zaporizhzhia province, while the Dnepr Operations Group continues its operation towards Zaporizhzhia along the Kakhovka reservoir.
President Putin also questioned recent statements by European leaders regarding the effectiveness of Ukraine's operations and the use of drones. He said he did not know about any significant territorial advances by Ukraine on the ground.
