The Russian military keeps reducing combat readiness of Ukraine and maintains strategic initiative in the special military operation zone, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Tuesday, adding that Kiev lost over 215,000 servicepeople last year.
"Groupings of Russian troops are methodically reducing the combat potential of the Ukrainian armed forces. Over the past year, enemy losses exceeded 215,000 servicepeople and 28,000 weapons. We maintain the strategic initiative along the entire line of combat contact," Shoigu said at a working meeting.
The minister added that the Ukrainian military is experiencing a depletion of manpower and lacks results on the battlefield. In turn, Russian troops will continue to consistently achieve the goals of the special military operation, Shoigu said.
The minister also touched upon the issue of equipping the Russian Army, noting that the Russian military is maintaining the combat readiness of the country's nuclear triad at a high level to ensure the global strategic balance.
"One of the key ones [tasks] is maintaining the combat readiness of the nuclear triad at the highest level, which ensures a strategic balance in the world," Shoigu pointed out.
In 2024, the Russian armed forces will continue to be equipped with the most modern weapons, including those based on artificial intelligence technologies and new physical principles, he added.
In addition, Russia will engage in serial production of all types of drones, heavy strike ones, the defense minister revealed.
"We will increase the supply of the most popular models. In particular, we will form a serial line of unmanned aerial vehicles — from mini [drones] to heavy attack [drones]," Shoigu said.
In the near future, the Russian Defense Ministry will improve the operation of communication, reconnaissance and targeting systems, counter-battery warfare, as well as develop air defense and satellite constellation capabilities, the minister added.
He also noted that the ministry's plans also include improving the form and methods of deployment of troops, updating the provisions of combat documents, manuals and instructions.
"The solution of these and other tasks will make it possible to increase the combat capabilities of the [Russian] Armed Forces, to ensure deterrence of aggression against our country and its allies," Shoigu concluded.
Moscow has repeatedly emphasized that all the tasks set in the operation zone will be accomplished despite Western pressure and sanctions imposed on Russia. In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that "there will be peace when Russia achieves its goals in the special operation."