During a working trip to the Northwestern Federal District, Russian President Vladimir Putin convened a high-level meeting with senior officials from the Defence Ministry, the General Staff, and the commanders of the groups of forces involved in the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine. Also present at the meeting was Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Earlier in the day, President Putin visited St Petersburg’s historic Peter and Paul Cathedral, where he laid flowers at the tomb of Peter the Great and held a conversation with the cathedral’s dean before proceeding to the military meeting.
Putin opened the session by recalling the significance of September 30 — the date marking the reunification of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, with the Russian Federation. He emphasised that the overwhelming majority of the populations in these regions voted in favour of joining Russia, calling it a confirmation that the February 2022 decisions were “correct and timely.”
According to Putin, the “strategic initiative fully remains with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.” He noted that since the beginning of the year, Russian forces have liberated approximately 4,900 square kilometres of territory and 212 population centres. The president praised Russian soldiers and officers for their “selfless devotion, love for their Motherland, sense of duty, and brotherhood in arms,” while extending his gratitude for their courage and heroism.
He further highlighted the crucial role of Russia’s defence industry in maintaining the army’s operational momentum. Putin said that defence enterprises are fully meeting the military’s needs for precision weapons, missiles, ammunition, and other equipment. He added that the development and deployment of advanced weapons are progressing ahead of schedule.
Putin accused the Ukrainian side of attempting to attack civilian facilities deep inside Russian territory to impress its Western sponsors. He stressed that such efforts would not alter the situation and reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Russian citizens and protecting critical infrastructure, including energy facilities.
The meeting then turned to operational updates from Russia’s top commanders. Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported that Russian troops are conducting “active combat operations” and advancing along nearly all fronts. He stated that the Ukrainian army is focusing its efforts on stabilising key sectors to slow down the Russian advance.
Gerasimov provided detailed updates on various fronts:
North Group of Forces is operating in the border areas of the Kharkov and Sumy regions, continuing to build a security belt and advancing successfully in the southern part of Volchansk.
West Group of Forces has nearly completed the defeat of Ukrainian forces in southern Kupyansk and is making progress toward Krasny Liman. Most of Yampol is now under Russian control.
South Group of Forces is engaged in intense battles in Seversk and Konstantinovka, while also completing operations against encircled Ukrainian formations south of the Kleban-Byk Reservoir.
Centre Group of Forces faces the fiercest fighting, particularly along the Krasnoarmeysk and Dnepropetrovsk directions. Despite Ukraine’s redeployment of its most combat-ready units to this sector, Russian forces continue to advance, with southern districts of Krasnoarmeysk under assault and Rodinskoye encircled.
East Group of Forces is pushing deeper into Ukrainian defences in the Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye regions, with over 200 square kilometres captured since September 1.
Dnepr Group of Forces is advancing toward Zaporozhye city, with battles ongoing for control of Primorskoye and Stepnogorsk. Gerasimov noted that Russian forces are continuing large-scale strikes on Ukraine’s military infrastructure, prioritising targets related to missile and drone production.
Gerasimov concluded by affirming that all formations of the Joint Force would continue their offensive in line with the approved plan.
In response, President Putin reiterated that the mission’s core objectives remain unchanged — ensuring the full achievement of the goals set for the operation. The next detailed report, Putin said, would be delivered by Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov, Commander of the North Group of Forces.
