Shoigu reports to Putin on ‘successfully conducted operation to liberate LPR’

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu held a meeting on war in Ukraine, reports Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, providing the recording of the entire conversation.

According to Shoigu, the operation to “liberate LPR” has been successful. The Armed Forces of Russia are currently demining the territory of the city of Lysychansk, Luhansk region, declared the minister.

Shoigu claimed that, during the last two weeks, the Ukrainian side had suffered 5,469 casualties, 2,218 of them — “irrecoverable losses”. Furthermore, during the fight for Lysychansk, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost 12 aeroplanes, six anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as 39 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, reported the minister of defence.

In his turn, Putin advised the servicemen that had taken part in the “liberation of LPR” to take a break. “The units, which had participated in active combat and succeeded, ensured the victory on the Luhansk front, most certainly deserve to take a break, to build up their combat capabilities,” said the president.

Also, Putin assigned Shoigu the task of presenting every serviceman that had “distinguished themselves during combat” with a state award.

During the meeting, Putin talked about another two units currently fighting in Ukraine. “Military units, including the East and West groups, have to continue completing their tasks according to previously established plans, following the same design,” he said.

Before today, the Russian Ministry of Defence had mentioned only two groups taking part in combat in Ukraine: South and Centre. The South group is commanded by general Surovikin. In the 90s, he was subjected to two instances of criminal charges: civilian deaths (charges dropped) and arms trafficking (court’s judgement lifted, exonerated).