Janice R. Andrews
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of pushing Russia to its “red lines,” issuing grave threats in response. During a televised meeting with military officials, Putin expressed concern over the U.S. development and potential deployment of short and medium-range missiles. He warned that Russia would lift its voluntary restrictions on missile deployments if the U.S. proceeds with these plans.
Putin reaffirmed that Russia’s nuclear weapons exist primarily as a deterrent but stated that Russia is prepared to take action if necessary. These remarks coincided with his claim that Russian forces have made significant advances in Ukraine, seizing 189 settlements and gaining momentum on multiple fronts in 2024.
“Russian troops are firmly holding the strategic initiative,” Putin declared, calling 2024 a pivotal year for achieving Moscow’s military objectives in Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov backed this up, announcing that Russian forces had taken control of nearly 4,500 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, advancing at a rate of around 30 square kilometers per day.
Belousov also revealed that Ukraine now controls less than one percent of the eastern Lugansk region and only 25-30 percent of the Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Although Russia annexed these regions in 2022, it does not fully control them.
Putin’s threatening rhetoric reflects growing tensions with the West as Russia intensifies its offensive in Ukraine, signaling a potential escalation in the ongoing conflict.
