The head of Russia’s Defense Ministry, Sergei Shoigu, recently visited the forward command post of a Western forces group engaged in the military operation zone. During the visit, the minister received a briefing from the group commander, Colonel-General Yevgeny Nikiforov, regarding the current situation in the operational area, the character of actions by Ukrainian forces, and the progress of Russian military missions across the primary tactical directions involved in the operation.
Nikiforov reported on the formation and coordination of reserve regiments within the Western troop group, highlighting readiness and mobilization measures designed to sustain combat operations. A subsequent meeting with the command was described as highly effective in identifying and destroying Ukrainian military hardware and fighters allied with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Shoigu emphasized robust support for troops engaged in hostilities and the creation of safe deployment conditions for personnel on the ground.
The ministry noted that Shoigu directed the group’s leadership to intensify reconnaissance efforts. The aim is clear: to detect enemy plans in advance and counter them before they reach the line of contact, especially at extended ranges.
The exact timing of Shoigu’s visit was not disclosed in the official release. This appearance follows events from late June when Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner private military company, accused military leadership of firing on Wagner units and called for what he termed a march for justice. The incident prompted a criminal investigation by the Federal Security Service, which was resolved within a day with mediation by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin later announced a move toward field camps in a remote direction, and the Kremlin indicated that the case would be halted and that Wagner personnel could travel to Belarus. At no point were personnel changes within the Defense Ministry discussed during negotiations with Prigozhin.
Shoigu had previously appeared in public during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on June 22, when he provided an update on the progress of the military operation in Ukraine. He stated that Ukrainian forces had suffered notable losses and reduced activity after nearly two weeks of sustained hostilities. In addition, Shoigu spoke about the formation of a reserve army and noted that the process would reach completion by the end of June. He indicated that a corps would soon be formed and would receive more than 3,700 pieces of equipment to bolster operational capabilities.