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Russian Defence Minister Inspects Troops Involved In Ukraine Offensive

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected troops involved in what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine, his ministry said Sunday.


General Sergei Surovikin (L), commander of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (C) during a visit by Russian President Putin to the joint headquarters of the military branches of the Russian armed forces involved in the ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine. AFP
General Sergei Surovikin (L), commander of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (C) at the ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine. AFP

 

 

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected troops involved in what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine, his ministry said Sunday.

Shoigu “made a working trip to the Southern Military District and inspected troops in the areas of the special military operation”, the defence ministry said in a statement on Telegram.

It added that Shoigu spoke with servicemen “on the frontline” and listened to reports from military officials at a “command post”.

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The statement did not say where exactly the trip took place and whether Shoigu visited Ukraine.

A video released by the ministry with its statement showed Shoigu aboard a military helicopter as well as some aerial shots of unidentified empty stretches of land.

The announcement of his visit comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with top military brass overseeing the Ukraine offensive, including Shoigu.

Russia launched a barrage of missiles on Friday on multiple cities in Ukraine, plunging them into darkness, cutting water and heat supplies and forcing people to endure sub-zero temperatures.

After a series of embarrassing battlefield defeats in Ukraine, Russia since October has pursued an aerial onslaught against what Moscow says are military-linked facilities.

AFP