Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that his forces were crushing the Ukrainian counter-offensive, at a time when kyiv on the contrary ensures “advance”.
For the second time since Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday, June 13, that his army was repelling the assault that Ukraine has been preparing for months. Yet the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army continues to report “advances”. Franceinfo looks back on the highlights of the day.
Moscow claims to inflict ‘catastrophic losses’ on Ukraine
“The (Ukrainian) losses are approaching a level that can be described as catastrophic”, assured Vladimir Putin during a televised meeting with Russian war correspondents, saying that Russian losses were “ten times less”. According to him, kyiv lost “about 25% or maybe 30% of the equipment” provided by the West, advancing the figure of 160 tanks and more than 360 armored vehicles. On the Russian side, he admitted the loss of 54 tanks, some of which are repairable. These data were unverifiable from independent sources.
Moscow also claimed, for the first time on Tuesday, the capture of German Leopard tanks and American Bradley armored vehicles, vehicles provided by the West. According to Vladimir Putin, Ukraine has launched its “large-scale counter-offensive” June 4 on “several” sectors of the front, citing two areas in the south and one in the east, without mentioning Bakhmout. “The enemy did not succeed in any of these areas,” he claimed.
kyiv claims “gains”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had admitted on Monday evening that the offensive in the south and east to liberate territories occupied by Russia was “difficult”but was progressing with the recapture of seven villages in the south and advances around Bakhmout.
On Tuesday, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Valéry Zalouzhny, again mentioned “advances”. “Heavy offensive and defensive fighting is taking place in the east and south of our nation,” he said on the networks. Then he added: “We have gains, we are applying our plan, and we are moving forward.”
Vladimir Putin admits lack of ammunition and drones
During the exchange with Russian war correspondents, Vladimir Putin also admitted that Russia had not sufficiently prepared for attacks on its soil from Ukraine. “It was possible to be better prepared for this”he said, as Russia had to evacuate thousands of people after a massive incursion and strikes from Ukraine. “It became clear that several things were missing: high-precision ammunition, communication equipment, drones,” listed Vladimir Putin.
On the ground, Russia once again launched its missiles towards Ukrainian cities overnight from Monday to Tuesday. In Kryvyï Rig, birthplace of Volodymyr Zelensky, these bombings left at least eleven dead just before dawn, with the destruction in particular of a residential building and a warehouse.
Threats to the grain deal
Vladimir Putin has also once again threatened to quit the agreement on the export of Ukrainian cereals. This agreement was reached in July 2022 and helped alleviate the global food crisis caused by the conflict. “We are now considering withdrawing from this grain agreement (…) Many conditions that were to be applied have not been respected”, said the Russian president, who accuses kyiv of using the maritime corridors provided for by this agreement to attack the Russian fleet with drones.
Paris denounces digital interference from Moscow
France on Tuesday accused Russia of being behind a vast operation of digital interference, in particular through the publication of false articles from major French dailies hostile to Ukraine. “The French authorities have revealed the existence of a digital information manipulation campaign against France involving Russian actors and in which state entities or entities affiliated with the Russian state have participated by amplifying false information”said Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. Paris is in “close connection” with his allies “to defeat Russia’s Hybrid War”, she added.
The campaign targeted media sites, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government institutions by creating mirror sites, said ministry spokeswoman Anne-Claire Legendre.