Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Ukraine's attempted counteroffensive has failed but that its offensive potential remains preserved.
"Firstly, it can be stated with absolute certainty that the counteroffensive has begun and this is proved by the use of strategic reserves," Putin said, adding that the Ukrainian forces have failed to reach their goals “thanks to [the] courage” shown by Russian troops.
According to Putin, the Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered losses in recent days that are “higher than usual.”
"As to whether the [counteroffensive is] bogged down or not, it can be said that all counteroffensive attempts made so far have failed. But the offensive potential of the troops of the Kiev regime still remains," the Russian president said.
Putin noted that Ukrainian troops have failed at every stage of conflict zone thanks to the courage of Russian soldiers and the proper organization of troops.
"In none of the areas of the combat operations did Ukrainian troops achieve their objectives. This is an absolutely obvious thing," the president stressed.
According to the head of state, Russia does not have enough modern weapons, but the defense industry is developing rapidly and will fulfill all the necessary tasks.
"I am sure all the tasks facing the defense industry will certainly be solved," Putin added.
The Russian president underlined that currently there is an intensive increase in the production of modern types of weapons.
On Monday, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said that since the morning of June 4, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a large-scale offensive in five areas of the front in the southern Donetsk direction. The counteroffensive looks to break the defense in what Kiev believes to be the most vulnerable area of the front. According to him, "the rival did not achieve his objectives."
On June 8, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated that the Ukrainian brigade, which had attempted an offensive in the Zaporozhye direction, was stopped in all areas and withdrew with heavy losses.