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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that 2025 has marked “an important stage” in achieving the objectives of what Moscow describes as its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Speaking at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Moscow, Putin said the Russian army has seized and “firmly” holds the strategic initiative along the entire front line.
“The Russian Armed Forces have liberated over 300 settlements this year,” he said.
Putin said Russian forces continue to advance despite extensive Western military support for Ukraine, including arms supplies and the training of Ukrainian troops.
According to Putin, Russian units are “grinding down the opponent, including its elite units trained in Western military centers.”
He added that Moscow has the capability to increase the pace of its offensive in strategically important directions if necessary.
The Russian president also detailed efforts to strengthen the country’s armed forces.
He said the navy’s composition was expanded in 2025 with the addition of new submarines and 19 surface ships, and vessels.
Putin said new weapons systems have been put into service following successful tests of the nuclear-propelled Oreshnik, Burevestnik and Poseidon systems.
He added that the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile system, which Russia used in Ukraine in November 2024, will be placed on combat duty by the end of the year.
Responding to Ukrainian shelling, Putin said Russia plans to expand its security buffer zone.
He rejected Western warnings about a possible Russian attack on Europe as “a lie and nonsense,” accusing European politicians of spreading hysteria and instilling fear of an inevitable confrontation with Russia.
Putin said Russia’s strategic nuclear forces are designed to deter aggression and maintain the global balance of power.
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