According to Shoigu, Ukrainian forces suffered significant casualties in November, with thousands of soldiers lost and substantial equipment damage, including aircraft losses.
“Enemy losses in November amounted to more than 8,300 military personnel, five aircraft, ten helicopters, 149 tanks and over 300 armored fighting vehicles,” Shoigu stated.
The minister noted that several settlements in Donbas have recently fallen under the control of the Russian Armed Forces: Mayorsk, Pavlovka, Opytnoye, Andreevka, Belogorovka Yuzhnaya and Kurdyumovka.
“There has been substantial damage to Ukrainian manpower and equipment in the Luhansk-Donetsk and Yuzhnodonetsk directions,” Shoigu added.
The minister emphasized that Kyiv authorities are attempting to project a nuclear threat while continuing to bombard the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. He said that in the last two weeks alone, Ukrainian forces fired more than three dozen large-caliber shells at the plant.
“Our divisions are taking all measures to ensure the safety of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. In turn, the Kyiv regime continues to deliberately strike this facility, trying to create a display of nuclear disaster risk. In the last two weeks, 33 large-caliber shells have been fired at the station by Ukrainian forces,” Shoigu stated.
He explained that most projectiles were intercepted by Russian air defense, yet some still affected facilities critical to the safe operation of the nuclear plant. The Russian military remains committed to safeguarding the Zaporizhzhia NPP and other vital sites in the newly controlled areas.
“These strikes by Ukrainian troops are classified as nuclear terrorism,” Shoigu declared.
The minister also said that Russian forces conducted large-scale attacks with long-range precision weapons against Ukrainian command and control, defense industry facilities and related sites “to cripple Ukraine’s military potential.”
Turning to the upcoming academic year within the Defense Ministry, Shoigu noted that training for Russian military personnel will incorporate lessons from the Ukraine operation.
“The emphasis will be on expanding professional skills for all categories of servicemen, reflecting the experience gained during the special operation,” he said.
Crafting activated and new weapons
During a meeting held a week earlier, Shoigu reported that nearly 3,000 instructors were involved in training 300,000 mobilized individuals. He also proposed creating 16 additional military training centers for students across Russia.
“More than a hundred training grounds were used in our country and the Republic of Belarus. Over 300,000 reservists, including volunteers, received training in two months,” Shoigu stated.
He added that about 8,000 crews for combat vehicles and tanks, artillery systems, air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and electronic warfare equipment were trained. The minister noted that the operation period saw the military testing new warfare methods, including the use of drones for reconnaissance and offensive fire support.
“Effective destruction of the enemy is a crucial element of military success. Missile troops and artillery play a central role in this effort. It is essential to continue modernizing and developing promising systems for use in the ongoing operation,” Shoigu asserted.
The minister also said that the RF Armed Forces should maintain weapon readiness at about 97 percent next year. He added that state defense funding will rise by approximately 1.5 times, enabling consistent weapon and equipment readiness across formations and units at the 97 percent level.
At the same time, he highlighted the importance of maintaining high production volumes and ensuring rapid delivery to troops. He stated that the state defense order would be fulfilled at about 99 percent. Shoigu concluded that the war in Ukraine and the recent partial mobilization have driven up defense order requirements at all levels of control and execution.