Putin says no need for martial law in Russia
2023.06.13 10:47
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with participants of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council and the Council of CIS Heads of Government meetings, in Sochi, Russia June 9, 2023. Sputnik/Dmitry Astakhov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
By Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir Soldatkin
MOSCOW (Reuters) -President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia needed to fight enemy agents and improve its defences against attacks deep inside its own territory but said there was no need to follow Ukraine’s example and declare martial law.
“There is no reason to introduce some kind of special regime or martial law in the country,” Putin told a televised meeting of Russian war correspondents and military bloggers. “There is no need for such a thing today.”
Ukraine’s large-scale counter-offensive began on June 4 and has not been successful in any area, Putin said, adding that Ukrainian human losses were 10 times greater than Russia’s.
Ukraine has lost over 160 of its tanks and 25%-30% of the vehicles supplied from abroad, he, while Russia had lost 54 tanks.
Putin also said Ukraine had deliberately hit the Kakhovka dam with HIMARS rockets supplied by the United States, a step he said had also hindered Kyiv’s counteroffensive efforts.
The goals of what the Kremlin calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine, launched on Feb. 24, 2022, might evolve with the situation, but their fundamental character will not change, Putin said.
