Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed on Friday the number of towns and villages that his country’s forces have controlled in Ukraine since the beginning of this year.
“Since the beginning of this year alone, I think 47 towns have been liberated,” Putin told attendees at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.
The Russian army has made progress in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine in recent months. In the north, in the Kharkiv region, he launched an offensive on May 10.
The Ukrainian army suffers from a shortage of equipment, especially due to delayed deliveries of Western military aid.
In the presence of Russian economic officials and guests from several countries, Putin confirmed that “more than 160,000 people” have joined the Russian army since January 1, 2024, to fight on the Ukrainian front.
In September 2022, Russian authorities recruited at least 300,000 people.
Putin explained on Friday that the Russian authorities “do not intend” to launch a new mobilization and recruitment campaign.
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