Russian Security Council Evaluates Two and a Half  Weeks of Ukraine’s ‘Counteroffensive’ Disaster

June 22, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)—The Russian Security Council meeting met today with both President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu in attendance, to get reports from senior officials, assessing the interim results of the disastrous Ukrainian “counteroffensive.” Secretary of the Security Council Nikolay Patrushev reported that Ukraine had lost over 13,000 troops (killed and wounded) in the 2.5 weeks. Shoigu clarified that the estimate of Ukraine’s losses was preliminary and was mainly based on intercepted communications of Ukrainian military commanders. The reality of Ukrainian forces throwing themselves upon the dug-in Russian defenses, creating a killing field out of the first of the three levels of defenses, has resulted in the last several days in the end of any significant offensive efforts by Kyiv.

Shoigu added that the Western allies are at the end of their Soviet-made weapons, which are easier for Ukrainians to use, and that Western-made equipment is not being produced in any sufficient quantity to significantly affect the battlefield situation. In contrast, Shoigu reported that Russia’s military continues to grow, both in terms of recruitment and the weapons being delivered. He said that the Russian Defense Ministry had 114,000 additional troops through regular channels, along with a standing force of 52,000 volunteers. He said that the volunteers, despite being highly motivated to join the fight, were being kept in reserve and are undergoing further training.