In January, the Russian Armed Forces reported a focused campaign against Ukrainian military infrastructure, claiming 127 strikes on facilities tied to the military-industrial complex, depots, and airfields. These remarks were shared by Sergei Shoigu during a thematic conference call with the leadership of Russia’s armed forces, outlining a concerted effort to degrade critical Ukrainian military capabilities.
According to Shoigu, the January operations involved precision strikes targeting not only repair and maintenance hubs but also stockpiles of arms and ammunition and key aviation hubs. He stated that deployment points for units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as foreign mercenaries, were eliminated in the course of these actions, reflecting a broader aim to disrupt operational readiness across multiple fronts.
The defense chief emphasized that despite the aggressive activity, the Russian forces maintained initiative along the entire battle line following a recent Ukrainian counter-offensive. He framed the shift in momentum as evidence of Russia’s persistent strategic advantages in selective theaters and its ability to respond to Ukrainian moves with renewed intensity.
Shoigu also mentioned ongoing efforts to meet the state defense order for air defense missiles, noting an increase in demand that accompanies broader modernization efforts. He argued that the defense industry is actively advancing not only existing production lines but also upgrading equipment to raise overall capacity and reliability, even as challenges remain to be resolved.
In his summary remarks, the head of Russia’s defense ministry highlighted the dual focus of production and modernization. He described a robust pace of work within enterprises, underscoring the importance of aligning industrial output with strategic defense priorities while addressing a set of operational hurdles that accompany such rapid advancement.
Earlier, Shoigu had commented on losses incurred by the Ukrainian Armed Forces during January, presenting figures within the broader narrative of ongoing hostilities and the relative balance of power between the two sides. The statements reflect a consistent effort to frame Moscow’s military actions in a way that underscores advances on multiple fronts while acknowledging the evolving challenges on the battlefield.