Vladimir Putin announces Ukrainian counter-offensive

Vladimir Putin indicated that for him, the Ukrainian counter-offensive has started well. A rare incursion into the military field, as the Russian president generally distances himself from what is happening on the ground of his "special operation".

Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, June 9, 2023. © Host photo agency/Ramil Sitdikov via REUTERS

Text by: Anissa El Jabri Follow

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From our correspondent in Russia,

This is a method already proven during Covid-19: local governors or government officials to assume. Even for repeated incursions into Belgorod territory and village shelling, it is the local governor, alone, every day, who is in the front line.

It took the drones launched at Moscow for the president to say a word. And again, some observers found him an almost bored tone on this much-debated counteroffensive. A small event gives the clue that there has been an internal debate about the nature of presidential communication. Two days ago, the Kremlin pool announced on its official Twitter account: "The president is writing a text in the country on the special operation."

A few minutes later, the message disappeared without explanation to announce to the country the counter-offensive. Vladimir Putin did not choose a solemn setting. The Russian president spoke on the sidelines of a diplomatic meeting and again in response to a question: "Yes, the counter-offensive has begun," he said, before adding, "Russia still lacks modern weapons, but they should not delay any longer." For the rest, Vladimir Putin considers the Ukrainian army to be a failure.

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