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Russian defence minister pays rare visit to troops in Ukraine

Published 03/04/2023, 03:56 AM
Updated 03/04/2023, 10:15 AM
© Reuters. A still image from video, released by Russia's Defence Ministry, shows Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu during what it said to be inspection of a forward command post of Russian armed forces deployed in Ukraine, at an unknown location in the course of Russi

© Reuters. A still image from video, released by Russia's Defence Ministry, shows Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu during what it said to be inspection of a forward command post of Russian armed forces deployed in Ukraine, at an unknown location in the course of Russi

(Reuters) -Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has paid a rare visit to Russia's forces deployed in Ukraine, awarding medals to military personnel and meeting senior commanders during the trip, a statement and videos issued by his ministry showed on Saturday.

Russia's top military chiefs have visited front lines in Ukraine only sparingly since Moscow sent tens of thousands of Russian troops into the neighbouring country just over a year ago in what it calls a "special military operation".

Shoigu "inspected the forward command post of one of the formations of the Eastern Military District in the South Donetsk direction" during the visit, the Defence Ministry said in a statement published on messaging app Telegram.

In a video released by the ministry, Shoigu is seen awarding medals to Russian military personnel and touring a ruined town together with the district's commander, Colonel-General Rustam Muradov.

In a second video, published by the ministry later on Saturday, he is seen chairing a meeting with senior commanders, including Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and General Sergei Surovikin, one of Gerasimov's deputies in the Ukraine campaign.

© Reuters. A still image from video, released by Russia's Defence Ministry, shows Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu during what it said to be inspection of a forward command post of Russian armed forces deployed in Ukraine, at an unknown location in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in this image taken from handout footage released March 4, 2023. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

Shoigu, who has served as defence minister since 2012, has come under harsh criticism over his performance in the conflict from pro-war advocates.

Last month, Wagner Group mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose force has played a significant role in Russia's war effort in Ukraine, accused Shoigu and others of "treason" for withholding supplies of munitions to his militia.

Latest comments

russias defeat is inevitable. the free world stands united against violent criminal dictatorships. too bad shoigus visit was so short and far away from any real danger, there was no time to put a bullet in his head..
Ukraine can defeat Russia if US return the $300 billion confiscated from Russia. Inferior weapon and other equipment are the major factors preventing Ukraine to win this war. It is very short sighted for US trying to take this money into its own pocket. If Ukraine lose this war, Russia will for sure go after US for the $300 billion. Considering the performance of US and Russia army at world war II which Russia singlehanded destroyed about %70 of Germy army and US only handled 30% of poorly trained German army, as well as the defeat of US by Korea, Vietnam ... who were backed by Russia, US will have to return this money when being defeated by Russia after Russia win the Ukraine war. So it would be wise to return the $300 billion to Ukraine and provide all the weapons Ukraine needed to defeat Russia now.
These are frozen assets that no one can use. It's on US and Europe to stop holding back and fully support Ukraine to defeat Russia.
 It is the same case as for the $7 billion confiscated from Afghanistan which US has already distributed for its own use. The most likely move of US for handling this money is to keep it in its own pocket if Ukraine win the war or to please Russia if Ukraine lose the war. But neither of the move is wise and logical. At the time, it is very short sighted for sure.
Two different situations. The Afghan assets that were frozen have been transferred to a fund in the U.S. to maintain banking operations in Afghanistan. Transfers to Afghan banks as needed are limited to approval of the fund's board of directors. The frozen assets of Russian oligarchs remain frozen until money laundering is proved. It will take years to sort this out. We are on the same side however it manifests itself for Ukraine to defeat Russia. It's not enough to only give enough to the Ukrainians to defend themselves.
Nato should make a big exercise in the black see us Navy marine and together with Europe England and make a surprise attack
It will be easy
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