Russia’s Military Operation Goals Will Certainly be Achieved – Putin

by Sputnik [12-17-2025].

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia will certainly achieve the objectives of its special military operation in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

"The objectives of our special military operation will certainly be achieved," Putin said at an expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry Board.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also said on Wednesday that 2025 has become an important stage in achieving the objectives of the special military operation.

"The outgoing year has become an important stage in accomplishing the tasks of the special military operation," Putin said at the expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry board.

The Russian army firmly holds the strategic initiative along the entire front line, the Russian president said.

"This year, more than 300 settlements have already been liberated, including large cities that the enemy turned into fortified hubs with long-term fortifications," he said.

The positions taken, the footholds established in recent months and the unique tactical and operational experience of breaching the enemy's defenses are allowing Russia to step up the pace of its offensive in strategically important directions, Putin said.

The Russian armed forces are demonstrating high military efficiency, Putin also said.

"In such difficult conditions, our troops are demonstrating high combat effectiveness," Putin said at the expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry Board.

The Russian troops are advancing and grinding down the enemy and its reserves, including those trained in Western military centers and equipped with foreign weapons, he added.

Russia will continue developing its Burevestnik and Poseidon missile systems, which will remain unique weapons for a long time, Putin also said.

"The Burevestnik unlimited-range strategic cruise missile and the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle have been successfully tested ... We will continue to work on them. We will continue to refine and improve them," Putin said at the expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry Board.

As these systems are nuclear-powered, they will remain unique for a long time, ensuring strategic parity and supporting Russia's position on the global stage for decades to come, the Russian president added.

The Oreshnik missile system will be put on combat duty in Russia by the end of the year, Putin said.

"The medium-range missile system with the Oreshnik hypersonic missile will also be placed on combat duty by the end of the year," Putin said during the extended meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry Board.

Vladimir Putin also noted the valiant actions of North Korean military personnel in the Kursk Region.

"I would like to commend our and North Korean comrades in arms. By decision of Kim Jong Un, the chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, they were sent to participate in the liberation of the Kursk Region and, shoulder to shoulder with Russian soldiers, valiantly and courageously fought the enemy. They took part in the large-scale and extremely difficult demining of the liberated Kursk Region," Putin said during the extended meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry Board.

NATO is continuously providing large-scale military assistance to Ukraine, Putin said.

"Large-scale military assistance is being provided continuously. Advisers, instructors and mercenaries are being sent, and intelligence data are being supplied," Putin said during the extended meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry Board.

Ukraine is backed by the combined military capabilities of NATO, which is the world's largest military and political bloc, the president added.

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