Second inspection
According to the Russian Telegram channel, the commander of the Vostok group, Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov, reported to the head of the Russian military department about the current situation and the progress in the performance of the assigned combat missions “to defeat the enemy forces.” Ministry of Defense.
In turn, Sergei Shoigu drew attention to the “strengthening of offensive capabilities” of the Vostok group.
“[Министр обороны] instructed the commander on the priority destruction of enemy long-range missiles and artillery with high-precision weapons, with which storage facilities were bombed, as well as the bombing of settlements in the Donbass and the deliberate arson of wheat fields. The grain is being carried out, ”the Ministry of Defense said in a statement after the inspection.
On Saturday, July 16, the ministry said Shoigu was inspecting Russian “South” and “Center” troops participating in a special operation in Ukraine. Then he listened to the reports of the commander of the “South” grouping, Army General Sergei Surovikin, and the commander of the “Center” grouping, Colonel General Alexander Lapin.
“The head of the Russian military department gave the necessary instructions to further increase the actions of groups in all operational areas, in order to exclude the possibility of launching large rocket and artillery strikes on civilian infrastructure and residents of settlements in the Donbass. other regions,” the Department of Defense said at the time.
In addition, Shoigu presented the Gold Star medals of the Hero of the Russian Federation to Colonel General Alexander Lapin and Major General Esedulla Abachev “for their courage and heroism.”
This was already the second inspection of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. The ministry announced for the first time Shoigu’s visit to special operations troops on June 26.
“At the command posts of the Russian groups, Army General Sergei Shoigu heard from the commanders reports on the current situation and actions of the Russian Armed Forces in the main operational areas,” said the Defense Ministry Telegram channel. time.
The Minister paid “special attention” to the issues of “organizing comprehensive support for military operations, as well as creating all the necessary living conditions at temporary deployment points” for Russian soldiers. At the end of June, he presented the Gold Star medals of the Hero of the Russian Federation to outstanding soldiers.
Long-range weapons of Ukraine
Despite Moscow’s protests, on July 8, US President Joe Biden ordered Ukraine to receive a new $400 million military aid package. The Pentagon announced that Washington had been working on plans for months and years to supply the Ukrainian side with new weapons.
On the eve of the allocation of aid to Ukraine, CNN, citing sources, reported that the administration of the American leader plans to deliver to Kiev a highly mobile artillery rocket system M142 (HIMARS); It can be up to 300 kilometers.
US-made weapon systems can launch missiles hundreds of kilometers – much further than systems currently available in Ukraine – that could be game-changing in their war against Russia, Ukrainians say.
In late April, Russia’s Ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, said in an interview with Russia 24 TV channel that Moscow sent a note to Washington demanding that the arms supply to Ukraine be stopped.
Today, July 18, Izvestia published Article by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in which he argues that the actions of the Ukrainian army, while using multiple launch rocket systems, are directed “on the ground” by artillery from NATO.
“I hope there are responsible politicians among Europeans who are aware of the consequences,” warned the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry.